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Updated: January 31, 2024
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MDTF Activities

Professionals Discussed Introduction of Victim Support System in Serbia - December 28, 2018

On December 18 the MDTF-JSS organized conference on victim support in Serbia. Aim of the conference was to present reports and analysis prepared to inform Serbian authorities how to ensure quality of victim support services and role of NGOs in providing victim support, as well as practice of entry points ...

Mapping of the Current Practices of Victim Support Entry Points - December 11, 2018

To ensure that victims receive appropriate information, support and protection, the MDTF-JSS in partnership with the CECL assessed current practices of main actors that are interacting with victims in Serbia. Results of the assessment are presented in the Report ‘Compatibility of institutional practices in law enforcement, health and welfare and ...

How Civil Society Can Contribute to the Delivery of Victims’ Services? - December 10, 2018

The MDTF-JSS team in partnership with Victim support Europe prepared report The role of civil society in the development of victims’ rights and delivery of victims’ services to explore interaction between states and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the delivery of support to victims of crimes. As Serbia is moving forward ...

Increasing Transparency of Prosecutors’ Offices in Serbia - Web-Site Usage Training for Prosecutor’s Office Employees - December 1, 2018

To MDTF-JSS Analysis of Prosecutor’s Offices Web Sites in the Republic of Serbia revealed that less than 20 percent of Prosecutor’s Offices has their web site. In addition, the existing websites do not have standardize layout and information package, which contributes to the lack of trust in prosecution system among ...

How to Ensure Quality of Victim Support Services? - November 23, 2018

Victim support as assistance that should be systematically provided to all victims of crime should satisfy standards of quality. Existence of quality standards are important for victims themselves, as knowing that services are subject to scrutiny, can be reassuring. Referral organizations can find it useful to be able to easily ...

Others are learning from Serbian Experience: Courts Reward’s Program recognized as Innovation in Delivering of Justice Services - November 14, 2018

Countries have experimented with many types of reforms to improve the efficiency and quality of justice services. To support countries to move further along the path of reform to achieve better public sector performance, including performance in the justice sector, the World Bank prepared the report Improving Public Sector Performance ...

How Entry Points Institution Protect Rights of the Victims - October 12, 2018

The MDTF-JSS continue to provide support to Serbian authorities to establish the comprehensive victim support system. To ensure informed decision making the MDTF-JSS partner with relevant organizations, including the Center for European Constitutional Law (CECL) that on the EU level and for the needs of European Commissioned examined different practices ...

Learning from Neighbours - Victim Support in the Selected Balkan Countries: A Comparative Perspective - September 27, 2018

Countries in the region are focused on EU accession process and alignment of legislation with EU acquis. EU accession is the main driver of the reform which results in changes in institutional structures, legislative amendments and adoption of strategic documents. Less focus is placed on solving problems that citizens, especially ...

Presentation of Findings – Impact of Expert Witness Engagement on Court Proceedings - September 20, 2018

The MTDF JSS team presented to the wider community of professionals main findings and recommendations of the recently prepared report “Examining the Experts: The Role of Expert Witnesses in Serbia, and How Reform Could Improve Efficiency and Quality of Justice” on September 18, 2018. The Conference brought together key stakeholders ...

Impacts of expert witness engagement on court proceedings – issues and recommendations for improvement - July 13, 2018

Analysis conducted by the MDTF-JSS team on the role of expert witnesses in judicial system of the Republic of Serbia has shown that, in the practice, there is a serious shortage of high quality expertise needed for trials. Experienced expert witnesses are frequently used by the courts and overburdened with ...

Presentation of the MDTF Access to Justice work on OECD Policy Round table in Riga - July 11, 2018

The OECD Policy Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice was held on 5-6 July 2018 in Riga with the aim to highlight the efforts in strengthening equal and people-focused access to justice for inclusive growth and sustainable development. It called for increased investment in access to justice, deepening the business ...

Courts’ Practice on Court Fee Waiver - June 16, 2018

The MDTF JSS continue to implement activities focused on improvement of access to justice. In parallel with the development of the Guide for exemption of court fees the MDTF JSS team in cooperation with the Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights – YUCOM, conducted a research to analyze courts’ practice under ...

Advocacy on Improvement of Victim’s Support – Key Stakeholders Working Meetings in Regional Centers and Belgrade - June 13, 2018

MDTF-JSS in partnership with Victimology Society of Serbia organized Regional meetings in Novi Sad, 15 May 2018, Užice,17 May 2018, Nis, 24 May 2018, Zajecar, 25 May 2018 and Belgrade, 30 May 2018 to present brochures Guideline through the criminal justice system for victims and Guideline through victim support in ...

Exercising financial independence – Analysis of Court Arrears - June 13, 2018

The 2014 Judicial Functional Review identified that courts are generating massive and growing arrears. The main reason for accumulating arrears is poor planning in the budget preparation process and the legislative reform process. Arrears are increasingly impacting service delivery by courts, including by causing delays in hearings. The number of ...

Improving the access to justice for vulnerable groups - exercising right to a court appointed interpreter - May 30, 2018

The MDTF JSS in 2014 Judicial Functional Review identified challenges in access to court appointed interpreter and information on those who provide interpretation services. To overcome this shortcoming the MDTF recommended organization of a public campaign to raise awareness on the role of, and right to, a court appointed interpreter. As ...

The Serbia courts rewards program has been highlighted in the Court Administrator - May 28, 2018

The Serbia courts rewards program has been highlighted in the Court Administrator, the leading journal of the International Association of Court Administrators.  See here.  The article highlights how Serbia is leading the way as an innovator in court performance improvement by taking the initiative to reward those courts that make ...

Strengthening Affordability of Justice in Serbia - Guide for Exemption of Court Fees - May 15, 2018

The MDTF-JSS in partnership with the Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights - YUCOM prepared the Guide for Exemption from Court Fees: Court Fees in Civil Proceedings and How to Dispense with Payments. The main objective of the Guide is to improve financial access to justice and to instruct material disadvantaged ...

Advocacy on improvement of victim’s support - Reaching out beyond Belgrade to regional centres - May 14, 2018

MDTF-JSS in partnership with Victimology Society of Serbia organized Regional meeting in Kragujevac on 9 May 2018 to present the project Raising awareness on victims’ rights in Serbia, brochures Guideline through the criminal justice system for victims and Guideline through victim support in Serbia and Interactive map of victim support ...

Support to execution of the High Judicial Council budgetary competences - the Analysis of Arrears in Courts in Serbia - May 8, 2018

  The MDTF JSS expert team continue to provide support to the High Judicial Council (HJC) to improve execution of its budgetary competences. One of the challenges for the judicial budget are arrears. The MDTF JSS team prepared Analysis of Arrears in Courts in Serbia. The Analysis on of Arrears of ...

Strengthening Services for Victims of Crime in Serbia and Beyond - April 26, 2018

Prepared by Georgia Harley, Marina Matic Boskovic, and Margaux Roussel Governance Global Practice Victims of crime are among the most vulnerable groups in need of government services. Yet, victim support services (VSS), if available, often vary in their quality and accessibility within countries and between countries. Service delivery failures can leave victims ...

Victims’ Guide through Serbian Criminal Justice System - April 13, 2018

Information is a fundamental right of a victim of crime, crucial for exercising other rights and getting proper assistance and support. To empower victims through the criminal justice system, the MDTF JSS in partnership with VDS developed the Victims’ Guide through the criminal justice system. We recognize that being a ...

Infographics – Main Findings from the Functional Review of the Prosecution System in Serbia - April 12, 2018

The MDTF JSS team presented preliminary findings form the Functional Review of the Prosecution System to the State Prosecutorial Council members at the end of 2017. Based on the received comments and suggestions the MDTF JSS team reviewed key findings and working on finalization of the analysis. The Functional Review ...

Where Victims Could Find Support Services in Serbia - April 11, 2018

To ensure sustainability of efforts and findings from the analytic work on the establishment of a victim support system in Serbia, the MTDF JSS has established a partnership with Serbian victim support organization, the Victimology Society of Serbia (VDS). EU acquis call Serbian authorities to facilitate referral of victims to ...

Animated Video as a Tool for Improving of Access to Justice - March 27, 2018

We live in the age of information where knowledge and information represents essential capital of an individual. Deprived of information and knowledge, an individual is deprived of the possibility of realization of his basic and fundamental needs. Although with internet all information became available and free the basic problem is ...

Increasing Transparency of the State Prosecutorial Council Work - March 20, 2018

The MDTF JSS team provided support to the State Prosecutorial Council in preparation of the format and data presentation for 2017 Annual report. For the first time data in the Annual report are presented according to the competences of the State Prosecutorial Council, not organizational structure of the Administrative office. ...

Launch of the Follow Up Judicial Functional Review - February 9, 2018

On February 8th, the MDTF JSS team together with the representatives of the Supreme Court of Cassation, High Judicial Council, State Prosecutorial Council and the Ministry of Justice officially open process of the preparation of the follow up Judicial Functional Review in Serbia. The Launch was internal event for justice ...

Draft Interactive Map of Free Legal Aid Providers in Serbia - February 5, 2018

MDTF JSS, in cooperation with the Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights - YUCOM, is putting efforts to improve access to justice in Serbia. Several actions are envisaged during 2018: Right to exemption from court fees, Interactive Map of Free Legal Aid Services and Access to justice of vulnerable groups. These ...

Promotion of the Self-Representation Guide - January 24, 2018

MDTF JSS team, in cooperation with the Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights - YUCOM, conducted a promotion campaign of the Self-Representation Guides, which were jointly developed in 2017. Citizens are usually unaware of their rights and obligations and therefore have a justified fear in meeting with unknown judicial procedures to them, ...

Presentation of findings - Functional Review of the Prosecution System in Serbia - January 8, 2018

Prosecutors occupy the key position in the criminal justice chain, responsible for receiving, investigating, and further processing (e.g. disposing) criminal complaints. Because the duties, case resolution mechanisms and procedural requirements vary substantially by judicial system, cross-country comparisons and ranking of performance are difficult.  Nonetheless, collecting this information is important for ...