The unit of inspectors and assistant inspectors at the Office of the High Inspector of Justice held a professional roundtable discussion with experts from the JUSTAL project on the legal framework, methodology, and operational tools for verifying the assets and integrity of magistrates subject to the jurisdiction of the High Inspector of Justice.
At the opening of the roundtable, the High Inspector of Justice, Artur Metani, praised the EU’s support for Albania’s justice system, emphasizing that: “The vetting process was temporary in technical terms, but its impact is lasting in terms of the values it has established through justice reform, as well as the standards and principles that must underpin the functioning of the justice system. It is therefore important to maintain the standards established through this process, as we must all speak the same language of values that guided, underpinned, and ultimately shaped the adoption of justice reform.”
JUSTAL Team Leader Agnes Bernhard emphasized that, although the vetting process was temporary, the principles established through it should remain firmly in place and continue to serve as a point of reference for the justice system.
JUSTAL experts, Mr. Francesco Caruso and Ms. Bora Pirdeni presented the Guidelines on the Verification of Magistrates’ Assets and Integrity, which aim to provide practical guidance for carrying out a standardized set of investigative actions as the basis for comprehensive, consistent, and evidence-based assessments of magistrates’ assets and integrity.
The discussions covered changes to the legal and operational framework, amendments to the Law on the Status of Judges and Prosecutors and their impact on verification procedures. Key topics included the creation and management of verification files, financial analysis, the assessment of lawful sources of income, the identification of related persons and risk indicators and the use of standard forms and calculation tools.
A significant part of the training was devoted to the methodology for assessing integrity, the relevant legal framework, investigative measures, and the standards of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The application of the principle of proportionality in the assessment of assets and integrity was also examined, taking into account the legislation in force and judicial practice.
The roundtable aimed to strengthen the professional knowledge of inspectors and assistant inspectors and harmonize their methodological approach to implementing verification procedures, thereby contributing to a consistent, impartial process that complies with the relevant legal standards.
