HRA NEWSLETTER 13 – TOPIC 13

A working group for drafting the Law on the Special Court will be established by the end of October, marking a step toward the creation of a new court designed as an additional mechanism in the fight against organized crime. Minister of Justice Bojan Božović told RTCG that, by forming the Special Court, the state aims to stand firmly behind those fighting crime.

“We want to see concrete results and to encourage the best within the judiciary by creating the best possible conditions for those dealing with the most serious criminal offenses — namely, crimes related to organized crime — so they know that the state stands behind them and that we are giving momentum to those who should remain in these positions,” Božović said.

However, the Minister explained that anyone wishing to become part of the Special Court will have to undergo the highest level of integrity and professional competence checks.

“In a broader sense, this can be viewed as a pilot project for a future vetting process — a comprehensive integrity review for those we believe should take part in this mechanism,” he added.

According to the Minister, the Law on the Special Court will be drafted in line with the highest standards and in consultation with European partners. This, he emphasized, will send a clear signal that Montenegro seeks tangible results even after closing negotiation Chapters 23 and 24.

The establishment of the Special Court is envisaged under the Judicial Reform Strategy 2024–2027. Minister Božović also explained, in an interview on TV Nova’s “Iznova” program, that work on the estamblishment of the Special Court had to await the adoption of the information concerning the construction of the new judicial quarter — now included in the Spatial-Urban Plan of the Capital City of Podgorica for the Stari Aerodrom area.

HRA NEWSLETTER 13

• N13.T1 – The Constitutional Court Still Waiting for Judges – Parliament Fails to Elect Any of the Proposed Candidates
• N13.T2 – Draft Amendments to the Law on the Constitutional Court of Montenegro Prepared – New Retirement Conditions for Judges
• N13.T3 – Vesna Medenica Convicted Again – Sentenced to Prison
• N13.T4 – Miloš Medenica Released from Spuž Detention, Vesna Medenica from House Arrest
• N13.T5 – State Prosecutor Srđa Jovanović Sentenced to Prison for Abuse of Office
• N13.T6 – Defendants Acquitted in the “Tunnel” Case, Widespread Criticism of the Verdict
• N13.T7 – The Prosecutor’s Office Report under the Shadow of Political Pressure
• N13.T8 – What Is the Role of the Supreme State Prosecutor?
• N13.T9 – Proposed Candidates for the Prosecutorial Council: One Studied for 16 Years
• N13.T10 – Statute of Limitations and Dismissal of Criminal Complaints in Prosecution Offices and Courts – Inefficiency or Something More Serious?
• N13.T11 – Supreme Court Identified a Procedural Error by the Administrative Court – Case on the Prosecutorial Council’s Decision to Be Reconsidered
• N13.T12 – New Judicial Code of Ethics Adopted – Ilićković to Lead Oversight Commission
• N13.T13 – Process of Establishing the Special Court Begins
• N13.T14 – Basic Court in Rožaje Hosts Open Day: Addressing Peer Violence and Court Challenges
• N13.T15 – Two Unions, Two Approaches to Strikes in the Judiciary