By Yana Ballod
Between 3 – 7 April a Moldovan delegation of judges, court employees and members of the Superior Council of Magistracy visited The Hague and Utrecht. The goal of the visit was to discuss with their Dutch colleagues the ways to optimize court organisation and the division of tasks in courts. The study visit was organised in the framework of the Dutch-Romanian-Moldovan project Support to strengthening judicial effectiveness and efficiency in Moldova – work division in courts. This project is implemented jointly by CILC and its Moldovan counterpart Institute for Penal Reform (Institutul de Reforme Penale).
The visiting programme was structured to highlight the judicial effectiveness and efficiency from three different perspectives. From the side of the court – while visiting the District Court for the central part of the Netherlands, and meeting the judges, legal counsel and press officer, as well as attending a court hearing. From the side of the academics – when visiting the University of Utrecht and meeting Dr. Philip Langbroek, a professor of judiciary and the organization of justice. He discussed several fundamental principles of the administration of justice with the Moldovan experts. Lastly – from the side of the Ministry of Justice and the role of its institutions for the judiciary.
Furthermore, the delegation of Moldovan judiciary participated in an in-depth topical meeting with Martin van der Jagt, former member of the board of the District Court North Holland, and Bert Maan, former president of the District court Zwolle-Lelystad. The two experts have contributed to various optimization processes in the Dutch courts between 2002 and 2015. The Moldovan experts used their moment with Martin and Bert to talk about human resources, court budgets, the introduction of mediation, and the automation of court proceedings.
The next step in this project is organising joint working meetings with the purpose of formulating and introducing changes in the court procedures in two pilot courts in Moldova: Court of Appeal in Balti and Ungheni Court. CILC is excited to contribute to this tripartite project aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of courts in Moldova.
