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Roundtable on Judicial Integrity held by the Kosovo Judicial Institute
PRISTINA 2 November 2001
PRISTINA, 2 November 2001 (OSCE) - Judicial integrity and enhancing the quality of the profession was the focus of a roundtable held by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. The meeting, run by the OSCE-established Kosovo Judicial Institute (KJI), looked at the role of the Kosovo Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (KJPC).
Independence and trust of judges and prosecutors is important to assure that the rule of law is observed. This includes safeguarding the judiciary from executive influence and having an independent body dealing with disciplinary control. The KJPC was created by the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMiK) to increase the credibility and reputation of the judiciary. It works to avoid bias in the appointment and discipline of judges and other forms of judicial misconduct.
Participants in the round table included representatives from the KJPC and the Judicial Inspection Unit - a part of the Department of Judicial Affairs that investigates and evaluates the judiciary - and twenty-five judges and prosecutors from the regions in Kosovo. Presentations were given on UNMiK Regulation 2001/8, the responsibilities of the KJPC and the work of the Judicial Inspection Unit. There was also a discussion about oversight of judicial performance and sanctioning cases of misconduct.
The KJPC makes recommendations to the Head of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo on the appointment of judges and prosecutors and, if necessary, on the removal or other disciplinary matters. Recommendations on sanctions are made following a full and fair hearing.
As the KJPC also deals with judicial appointments, participants considered the professional experience required for the selection of judges and prosecutors. This concerns the new generation of lawyers, many now undergoing training for the Bar/Judicial Exam or at the Pristina University Law Faculty - activities which are supported by the OSCE and the Kosovo Law Centre.
The Kosovo Judicial Institute was set up by the OSCE, the institution-building pillar within UNMiK, to provide legal education for judges and prosecutors, playing an important role in strengthening the independence of the judiciary and rule of law in Kosovo.
Independence and trust of judges and prosecutors is important to assure that the rule of law is observed. This includes safeguarding the judiciary from executive influence and having an independent body dealing with disciplinary control. The KJPC was created by the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMiK) to increase the credibility and reputation of the judiciary. It works to avoid bias in the appointment and discipline of judges and other forms of judicial misconduct.
Participants in the round table included representatives from the KJPC and the Judicial Inspection Unit - a part of the Department of Judicial Affairs that investigates and evaluates the judiciary - and twenty-five judges and prosecutors from the regions in Kosovo. Presentations were given on UNMiK Regulation 2001/8, the responsibilities of the KJPC and the work of the Judicial Inspection Unit. There was also a discussion about oversight of judicial performance and sanctioning cases of misconduct.
The KJPC makes recommendations to the Head of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo on the appointment of judges and prosecutors and, if necessary, on the removal or other disciplinary matters. Recommendations on sanctions are made following a full and fair hearing.
As the KJPC also deals with judicial appointments, participants considered the professional experience required for the selection of judges and prosecutors. This concerns the new generation of lawyers, many now undergoing training for the Bar/Judicial Exam or at the Pristina University Law Faculty - activities which are supported by the OSCE and the Kosovo Law Centre.
The Kosovo Judicial Institute was set up by the OSCE, the institution-building pillar within UNMiK, to provide legal education for judges and prosecutors, playing an important role in strengthening the independence of the judiciary and rule of law in Kosovo.