In a statement for ATA, Minister Manja explains that the lawyers have consulted the draft judicial map and their feedback have been incorporated in this draft which is expected to be adopted by the Government.

“Lawyers are an important party of interest that guarantees the smooth running of the due process in the chain of the justice system and as such have been consulted on the draft judicial map during the public consultation phase. We have taken into account some valuable suggestions that have come from the bar association, which are reflected in the draft, but the judicial reorganization is the responsibility of the High Judicial Council as the government of the judiciary and the Ministry of Justice ,” Manja told ATA.

The Minister emphasizes that the new judicial map is in line with European standards and creates a balance regarding the citizen’s access to justice.

“The new judicial map, referring to European standards, the implementation of new laws of Justice Reform and the state of the justice system, creates the right balance between citizens’ access to justice and the efficiency of the judicial system,” the minister told ATA.

In his statement for ATA, Manja emphasizes that the boycott of court hearings does not serve anyone, while appealing for lawyers to contribute to the implementation of the new court map.

In line with the justice reform package, the High Judicial Council set up an Inter-Institutional Group to conduct an evaluation of the judicial system and to make recommendations on how best to reorganize the courts and their territorial jurisdiction.

The High Judicial Council on Saturday approved a new judicial map, which reduces the number of courts in the country.
According to the new map, the country will have 13 courts out of 22, while out of six first-instance administrative courts there will be two, one in Tirana and one in Lushnja.