The first Steering Committee meeting of the project “Strengthening legal culture in Serbia and capacities of the judicial and prosecutorial councils” funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe under the Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye III gathered on 6 February in Belgrade.

Representatives of key judicial institutions expressed their appreciation for the continued support in the implementation of judicial reform. They referred to significant results achieved through the previous project and the need to continue joint efforts in ensuring independent and accountable judiciary. It has been strongly emphasised during the discussion that recent legislative developments in judiciary in Serbia have to be carefully reviewed as to ensure that the effects and sustainability of the reform is preserved.

With an aim to improve legal culture and practice in Serbia, the project shall involve strengthening the capacity of the High Judicial Council and the High Prosecutorial Council to fully act as independent bodies, harmonising judicial and prosecutorial case law, as well as building knowledge and skills of judges and prosecutors to work in accordance with the new legal framework and European standards. Compatible project activities will focus on expanding expertise and integrity of law students and young lawyers in order to foster awareness of careers in the judiciary and attract skilful candidates as future judges and prosecutors.

The project will maintain close partnership with all stakeholders in the judiciary, including key civil society organisations and professional associations, all with an aim to foster strong institutional ownership and commitment to advancing Serbia’s judicial reforms.