The answer to the question on how to improve the efficiency of the courts performance was found in the Commission, 28 March, 2016
On 28 March 2016 in the premises of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine a seminar-presentation of the report “Performance Management in Courts” was held. The presentation was made by the author of the report Mr. Adis Hodžić, EU Project Expert from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mr. Sergii Koziakov, Commission Chairman, Mr. Ihor Benedysiuk, Chairman of the High Council of Justice, Mrs. Valentyna Simonenko, Chairman of the Council of Judges of Ukraine, Mr. Zenovii Holodniuk, Head of the State Judicial Administration, members of the Commission and representatives of the Commission Secretariat, members of the High Council of Justice, members of the Council of Judges of Ukraine, judges were able to familiarize with the work of international expert regarding performance results of local general courts of Ukraine.
During the last 7 years, Mr. Adis Hodžić is a member of the Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ), Working Group of the Council of Europe on the evaluation of judicial systems (CEPEJ-GT-EVAL). He participated as an expert in the review procedures of judicial systems in Norway, the Netherlands, Croatia and Albania.
With the support of the State Judicial Administration of Ukraine, which contributed to the data collection process, Mr. Adis Hodžić developed a table for collection of statistical data in the local courts of Ukraine in terms of 2012, 2013 and 2014 regarding budget expenditure, the number of judges and court staff, and the number of cases.
According to the expert, if to take into the account the international experience the efficiency of the courts is usually studied in view of two main aspects - the time of proceedings and use of resources. In many countries, society is dissatisfied with the speed of cases review in courts, while the courts chairmen explained this by underfunding. It is, therefore, important to consider these aspects.
Regarding the aspect of quality, it is considered at the last stage of building a system for evaluating performance because it is the most difficult issue. Of course, the rate of cases is affecting the quality.
During the seminar Mr. Adis Hodžić also explained why we need ratings of courts. For example, in Austria there are 5 levels of assistance to the courts, where the figures are not the best. With the help of ratings, one can detect microscopic defects in the work and get a platform for the reorganization of work processes.
The Commission members also asked the expert regarding how similar researches could be useful in part of the initial qualification assessment of judges. According to Mr. Hodžić, this method can be useful for judges of the first instance.
The event was held in the cooperation between the European Union Project “Support to Justice Sector Reforms in Ukraine” and the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine.
Reference:
The Project “Support to Justice Sector Reforms in Ukraine,” funded by the European Union, began its work in 2013.
The EU Project is composed of six key components that are managed by International and National Experts Group. It aims to develop an overall strategy for justice sector reforms; the police reform and reform of bodies with investigative powers, as well as prosecutors’ reform; access to justice and securement the right to protection; independence of the judiciary; preventing and combating corruption.
