Law No. 10/2026, published in the Official Gazette and signed into law by the President, will enter into force on Feb. 28, 2026. It introduces lifetime bans on former magistrates who were dismissed or resigned to avoid the vetting process from seeking appointment to key justice institutions.

Under the legislation, those individuals are explicitly prohibited from running for seats on the High Judicial Council and High Prosecutorial Council, as well as from being employed as lecturers, trainers or experts at the School of Magistrates.

For new candidates drawn from the ranks of lawyers, academia and civil society, the law stipulates a rigorous “mini-vetting” process, including checks on assets, possible links to organised crime and enhanced scrutiny by the People’s Advocate and competent authorities such as Special Anticorruption and Anticrime Prosecution Structure (SPAK), the National Bureau of Investigation, tax authorities and customs.

The amendments also clarify definitions related to organised crime and assets, and strengthen the role of the High Justice Inspector, while tightening standards for legal advisers and assistants in courts and prosecution offices.

The law aims to safeguard the integrity of Albania’s justice system and prevent individuals with integrity concerns from returning to key state institutions.

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Under the new decision, these officials will be accompanied by bodyguards at basic and intermediate levels throughout their tenure. Protection will continue for an additional period following their mandate: two years for the heads of anti-corruption and organized crime courts and the BKH Director, and three years for the SPAK Chief Prosecutor.

The Council of Ministers approved the amendments to Decision No. 478, dated July 10, 2019, concerning the security procedures for judges of anti-corruption and organized crime courts, SPAK prosecutors, and the BKH Director.

The government’s decision underscores its commitment to safeguarding key judicial and investigative officials in the fight against corruption and organized crime.

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In a post on the social media, the U.S. Embassy underlines “this is an important moment for the Albanian justice system to ensure continued progress and to uphold the principles that underline justice reform.”

“Don’t miss the opportunity to contribute to a justice system that is effective, transparent, and fair – on behalf of your fellow magistrates and all citizens of Albania,” the U.S. Embassy said.

The Embassy noted that application deadline is Monday, September 4.

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The People’s Advocate office said in a press release that individual applicants or organizations can join the list provided that they submit their applications within a deadline according to legal rules.

“In compliance with the amended article on the governing bodies of the justice system, the Ombudsman will press ahead with the next stages of the process that include the verification of the fulfillment of the legal conditions of the candidates as well as the evaluation and their ranking procedure based on professional and moral criteria according to the procedures,” the Ombudsman’s office said in the press release.

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“Vacancies with the High Judicial Council and the High Prosecutorial Council are open! This renewal of Council members is critical to protecting Albania’s justice reform and progress towards an independent, effective justice system. Six new members will join each Council – 3 lay members and 3 magistrate members – with a five-year mandate,” the Embassy said.

“For lay members, the application deadline is next Saturday, August 5, 2023. The process is administered by the Assembly,” the Embassy announced, providing details on the application process.

For magistrate members, the application deadline is September 4, 2023. The process is administered by the High Court and the Office of the General Prosecutor. Details on the application processes can be found here:

“The U.S. Embassy encourages all eligible candidates to apply to ensure a fair, competitive process and a successful transition. The United States, together with our partners, will closely follow this process in the coming months,” the Embassy said.

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In his remarks, the premier Rama said that, “the government will put in the service of the public and the media, an information channel on its official website to address any accusation or claim raised publicly related to the public interest.”

“The old format of traditional politics with accusations and counter-accusations through press conferences, where the public is poisoned and disgusted by politics, is considered a closed practice,” the premier Rama said.

“The government will also encourage the strengthening of mechanisms known as the Co-Government Platform which will enter into a special legal regime or innovative mechanisms to encourage citizens, investigative media in the fight against corruption at every level,” the premier Rama stressed.

“The politics and crime have lost control of new justice bodies. Parties are losing power to withstand the pressures of time seeking justice. No one who is involved in crime no longer sleeps peacefully. The counter-offensive of the forces and individuals with political power to prevent, damage, stop the Justice Reform has really consumed considerable social energy by staging public acts, media operations and unprecedented political actions with their anti-democratic, unconstitutional, anti-civil ferocity, but the inspirers of that counter-offensive are today the most discredited political figures of Albania,” the Prime Minister Rama said. //a.i/

The Assembly said that “according to the provisions of Article 147 of the Constitution on the Justice System bodies, the Secretary General of the Assembly of Albania decided to announce two vacancies for a member of the High Judicial Council to be filled by a candidate due to be selected from the pedagogical team of the faculties of law and the School of Magistrates.”

The Assembly also announced a vacancy in the High Prosecutorial Council.

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