A Serbian delegation of six elected members of the State Prosecutorial Council, the State Secretary and Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and the Judicial Academy Director undertook a study visit to judicial institutions in Portugal from 10 to 13 April.

The delegation held a series of meetings with counterparts, including the General Prosecutor of Portugal, High Prosecutors Council, Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal of Lisbon, Basic Court in Lisbon-West and the Portuguese Judicial Academy. During these meetings special focus was placed on the prosecutorial autonomy and countering undue pressure.

The participants also attended a specifically designed seminar on the Portuguese experience in building trust between the public and the prosecution service. The seminar concentrated on the competences of the Portuguese Public Prosecution in representing the endangered and most vulnerable social groups such as workers, those injured at work, family matters, and defending special collective rights, such as the right to a healthy environment.

This study visit was organised as part of the joint Council of Europe/European Union Horizontal Facility action “Strengthening Legal Guarantees for Independent and Impartial Tribunals”.