Montenegro has launched a specialised training programme for lawyers providing free legal aid to victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, aiming to strengthen access to justice for some of the most vulnerable groups in society. The initiative follows the 2024 amendments to the Law on Free Legal Aid, which introduced a requirement for specialised representation of victims in these cases  by lawyers with at least three years of professional experience.

In this context, a series of eight training sessions will be organised throughout 2026, covering more than 200 lawyers who applied for specialisation in these fields. The trainings are being implemented in cooperation with the Bar Association of Montenegro and the Centre for Training in the Judiciary and State Prosecution.

The programme combines online learning through the HELP platform with a two-day practical training module, followed by an assessment of participants’ knowledge and skills. The training focuses on essential aspects of victim-centred legal assistance, including understanding victims’ needs, ensuring sensitive and effective communication, and preventing secondary victimisation. The first group of lawyers attended the training programme on 2–3 June on the issue of domestic violence.

This initiative represents an important step towards reinforcing the national protection system and ensuring more effective access to justice for some of the most vulnerable groups in society.

The initiative implemented as part of the 2026 Specialised Training Programme for Judges and Public Prosecutors and supported through the Action “Strengthening accountability of the judicial system and enhancing protection of victims’ rights in Montenegro,” which is part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye.”