OSCE Mission in Skopje supports system for transparent distribution of court cases

SKOPJE, 13 October 2006 - A software system that makes the assignment of court cases to judges more transparent was delivered today to the Appellate Court in Skopje under a project supported by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje.

The handover of the software marked the beginning of the project, implemented by the non-governmental organization Center for Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency. All courts in the country will receive the new software as part of the project.

"The software increases the transparency of the court system so that the public can see that the court is acting in a fair and just manner," said Donald Bisson, Judicial Reform Programme Director within the OSCE Mission's Rule of Law Unit.

"If all applicants to the courts can be assured that they will be treated fairly and that their case will be handled in an objective and impartial manner, then they will more likely feel that the decision of the court is just."

The software assigns court cases to judges automatically. Lazar Nanev, president of Center for Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency, said this protects both judges and citizens.

"In the past, the court system was exposed to severe criticism for disrespecting assignment criteria, which directly contributed to decreasing the public trust in the judiciary," he said.

"This new tool will enable judges to receive balanced workloads, and it will diminish the possibility bias in assigning cases and other factors that can lead to allegations of corruption."