Court users in Vlora will now have the possibility to evaluate the quality and efficiency of Courts’ performance, based on their individual experiences. A web-based court user satisfaction system was presented today to key representatives from the justice institutions, civil society and media, in a public event organised by the High Judicial Council and Vlora District Court, with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe.

In her opening remarks, Marcela Shehu, member of the High Judicial Council, thanking the Council of Europe and the European Union for supporting the web-based platform, stressed that: “The satisfaction surveys will enable the identification of the weaknesses of the functioning of the courts, giving more opportunities to the High Judicial Council to highlight the problems and identify appropriate measures”.

Giulia Re, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Tirana, focused in her address on the importance of a user centred justice approach emphasized that “The feedback of court users on the efficiency and quality of justice is important not only to measure its impact, but also to increase public confidence in the justice system”.

Tidita Fshazi, Programme Manager of the Delegation of the European Union to Albania, emphasised in her remarks the role of the court user satisfaction surveys to support “Institution of the justice system to further improve strategic communication on key policies”.

During her speech, Emirjana Dimo, Press Judge of of Vlora Court of First Instance reiterated the importance of the users to actively participate in the surveys emphasising that “The feedback from the court users’ personal experience will help the Court of First Instance of Vlora to improve the services provided”.

The feedback provided by multiple court users will help the Court’s management to identify and analyse the shortcomings and redress them in coordination with other relevant institutions. The same system was introduced a year ago and it’s operational in Tirana District Court, to be further integrated in the remaining courts in Albania. It is accessible through respective websites of High Judicial Council and District Courts of Vlora and Tirana.

The court users’ feedback is an additional mechanism of accountability which will contribute to enhancing public confidence in the justice system in Albania. In addition, it will allow the High Judicial Council to further improve strategies and plans contributing to the common goal – a more efficient justice system and improved judicial service for the Albanian citizens.

This High Judicial Council initiative is enabled with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe action Strengthening the Quality and Efficiency of Justice in Albania, part of the European Union and Council of Europe joint programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye – Phase III.

For more information:  

• Emirjana Dimo – First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction Vlora, [email protected]
• Besnik Baka – Communication Officer - Council of Europe Office in Tirana – [email protected], Tel: +35569217843