Completed

Increasing the Quality, Services and Infrastructure in Lithuanian Courts

National Courts Administration ·Lithuania

€7.1m

Grant awarded

Justice and Home Affairs

Programme

15 June 2020

Signed

About this project

Public opinion polls show that the perceived lack of transparency in the courts, prolonged judicial proceedings, and the lack of physical and psychological security for the parties are among the main reasons for the society to distrust the Lithuanian judicial system. Transparency, efficiency and a greater focus on the needs of court staff and clients are among the most commonly identified areas, therefore improving them would enable judiciary to develop competencies and increase public trust in judiciary. The project aims to contribute to the development of a more efficient and effective justice system in Lithuania. The project includes: <ul style="list-style-type: square"> <li>A new model for selection and evaluation of judges that would ensure greater efficiency on formation of the judiciary, transparency and the independence of the judiciary.</li> <li>Methodological materials and training programmes based on best foreign practice, which would enable to develop the competencies of judiciary, necessary for ensuring the procedural cooperation, conducting the court proceedings in an objective and transparent manner, and assure efficient organization of court activities.</li> <li>Training programmes for court volunteers, mentors and delivery of training.</li> <li>Public campaigns on legal education purposes.  </li> <li>Installation of security measures / technological solutions to ensure security in courts.</li> <li>Adaptation of public spaces of the courts to meet needs of the parties of the proceedings.</li> </ul> The systemic tools developed within the project will increase the efficiency and transparency of the court process, shorten the duration of the proceedings and ensure effective protection of the violated rights. Target groups of the project are judiciary (judges, court staff and the staff of National Courts Administration), prosecutors, lawyers, litigants and public. Donor project partner Norwegian Courts Administration will contribute to project activities through its expertise and exchange of the best practices.

Bilateral cooperation results

The project was implemented together with the donor partner, the Norwegian Court Administration. Their representatives contributed to the organisation and implementation of most of the project activities. Experts from the Norwegian Judicial Administration provided valuable input in developing the Judge Selection and Assessment Model, the Court Managers Selection and Assessment Competency Model and a practical guide for criminal court processes. They also provided comments and recommendations in the preparation of the analysis of the activities of the Judicial Volunteer Service, as well as contributed to the organisation of court internships in Norway, the Netherlands and Canada. Additionally, they participated in and gave presentations at two international conferences. This partnership with the Norwegian Judicial Administration has been ongoing for 12 years, during which several joint projects have been successfully completed. There are plans to continue collaborating on future bilateral projects.

Project partners

Norwegian Courts Administration Donor project partner· Norway

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