During his presentation, Rusi outlined the budgetary requirements for the judicial system for 2027, noting that the draft law “On 2027 Budget” allocates 37% less funding than what the High Judicial Council had requested.

He emphasized the urgent need to approve 199 additional staff positions across the entire judicial system, along with the corresponding funding for personnel expenditures, providing the necessary justifications for this request. Furthermore, Rusi requested continued funding for the salaries of 90 full-time, fixed-term employees—hired during 2026—whose employment will extend for an additional two years.

Rusi emphasized the necessity of securing additional funding—beyond what is currently allocated in the draft budget—to cover expenses related to court security services, rental costs for two appeal’s courts, and the increased fees for postal and security services.

Additionally, Rusi highlighted the importance of increasing funds for capital investments, specifically for renovations and the procurement of security and computer equipment for courts at all three levels.

In conclusion, the Committee on Legal Affairs, Public Administration and Human Rights requested that the rapporteur MP Aulona Bylykbashi, in coordination with representatives from the High Judicial Council and the Ministry of Finance, hold discussions to identify the HJC’s priority funding requirements—to be incorporated into the draft law “On 2027 Budget.” /j.p/p.s./

Speaking at the event, HJC Chairman Ilir Rusi said institutional communication is an essential component of a modern justice system and highlighted the role of designated media judges in ensuring accurate, professional and timely information reaches the public.

Rusi said effective communication helps strengthen public confidence in the judiciary while safeguarding judicial independence, the integrity of court proceedings and the rights of all parties involved.

He also thanked the OSCE Presence in Albania for its continued support to the country’s judicial system and reaffirmed the council’s commitment to initiatives aimed at improving transparency, strengthening institutional communication and enhancing public trust in justice institutions.

The High Judicial Council said it remains committed to supporting the professional development of media judges and promoting best practices in public communication in line with European standards of transparency and institutional accountability.

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In a statement, the High Judicial Council condemned the blast as a serious threat to whole society.

“Taking notice of the media reports, as well as based on the preliminary police information regarding today’s explosion close to the house of the magistrate Tonin Sterkaj, First Instance Court judge in Shkodra, the High Judicial Council voices concern that such incidents gravely threaten safety of the judge and pose a serious threat to the entire Albanian society,” the Council said in a press statement.

A powerful explosion rocked the city of Shkodra early this morning. The target was the home of Judge Tonin Sterkaj, 62-year-old. Fortunately, the blast caused only material damages.

An investigation has been launched immediately, with law enforcement agencies working to identify the perpetrator and determine the motive behind the attack.

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HJC Head Llagami made it clear in a press conference the entire procedure of how the new map will be materialized, while saying that all measures have been taken to ensure that everything goes as it should.

She said that, “Today, the implementation of the new judicial map starts and it starts with the Appeal’s Court which will allow the possibility to create two sections in this court, the civil and criminal section”.

Llagami emphasized that, “The citizen will no longer have court hearings fail, as happened before due to the absence of the judge or the non-complete jury”.

“Our second concern is for the citizens to receive a quality service. We abide by the principle that the more specialized the judges are, the better the service will be. I believe it is clear that judging both civil and criminal cases is rather difficult. The important thing is that from now on no trial in the General Court of Appeal will fail. Today, the citizen will be better served because on the day the session is scheduled, he will receive service and this is important for the citizen regardless of where the court is located. I have said publicly that we could have the courts very few meters close to the house, but we had no service. This is the situation we have and that is why these measures are taken”, said Llagami. /j.p/p.s./

According to the new judicial map, the number of first instance courts in Albania is expected to fall to 13 from 22 courts currently, whereas the number of administrative courts will be cut from six to three, based in Lushnje and Tirana.

The High Judicial Council, HJC, and the Ministry of Justice proposed the map last December.

HJC said in a press release that adoption of the new judicial map marks conclusion of a three-year work by the Inter-Institutional Working Team, intensively assisted by the Council of Europe experts.

“The adopted act reflects the suggestions and the opinions forwarded during the public consultations process hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, representatives of the local bar associations, General Prosecutor’s Office, judges, judicial workers, as well as the civil society organizations and business community. The Working Team decided that the judicial map reform in Albania is designed to merge smaller and less effective courts with bigger ones,” HJC said in its press release.

According to HJC, the new judicial map reform was delivered in accordance with the highest international standards.

The HJC also decided to merge six courts of appeal into a single court, the National Court of Appeals based in Tirana.

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Head of the HJC Naureda Llagami announced the decision after the High Inspector of Justice Artur Metani gave his report to the Council.

According to Llagami, “The HJC decided to accept the disciplinary measure for cutting the salary of the magistrate by 20% for a period of 6 months”.

The High Inspector of Justice had asked the HJC to initiate disciplinary proceedings with the measure, “Salary cut up to 40% for one year” against magistrate P.F. of Elbasan Judicial District Court.

The High Inspector of Justice launched the disciplinary investigation after revelation of some facts broadcasted on the investigative show “STOP” of the TV Klan, on January 31, 2017, which seriously discredited the position and figure of the judge. The broadcast showed that in exchange for an amount of money the magistrate pledged to give the minimum sentence for a defendant in custody, who was charged with three criminal offenses./m.m/j.p/p.s./

SPAK chief, Arben Kraja, presented a summary report on the activity of the Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure in 2020, mainly focusing on administration, functioning and the problematics noticed during the period in question.

The Commission then examined and approved the draft resolution on the annual activity of HIDAA, General Prosecutor’s Office, High Judicial Council and the High Prosecutorial Council in 2020.

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In the hearing session at the HJC, the High Inspector Metani said that, “In the analysis of the documentation administered within this disciplinary process, it resulted that Judge KS, with the court decision of the Court of First Instance for Serious Crimes in Tirana, pleaded guilty to the criminal offense “Corruption”, provided by the Criminal Code”.

In relation to the facts confirmed in this process of disciplinary investigation as well as accepted by the court results that magistrate K.S. has taken active actions through direct benefit.

In presenting the conclusions, Methane stated that, “The actions of Judge K.S. have violated the regular activity of the judiciary.”

Consequently, the High Inspector of Justice Artur Metani requested from the HJC the administration of the evidence presented by him in this disciplinary proceeding, the acceptance of the Inspector’s request for initiation of disciplinary proceedings and the assignment to Judge K.S. of the disciplinary measure “dismissal”, a request that was accepted by the members of the High Judicial Council. /j.p/p.s./

The Head of the High Judicial Council (HJC), Naureda Llagami, received on Tuesday in a courtesy meeting the Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Vincenzo Del Monaco.

The main focus of the discussions was the recent decision of the HJC regarding the proposal of the President of the Republic Ilir Meta to appoint to the High Court, the first four judges from the ranks of the judicial system.

The interlocutors emphasized the importance of the well-being of the judicial system as a whole and the implementation of justice reform, as a national priority in Albania’s European integration process. //a.i/

According to the regulation for the procedure of promotion approved by the HJC, 7 days after the announcement of the decision on the ranking of candidates for the position of head of the Prosecution Office (which took place in the plenary session on 18.03.2021), the Council has to appoint the head.

At the end of the promotion procedure, HJC has unanimously decided to appoint prosecutor Kreshnik Ajazi as the Head of the Prosecution Office at the Court of First Instance of Elbasan for a 3-year term. //a.i/