Improving the Quality of Justice

The project developed an array of innovative tools and methods, aiming to improve the knowledge and skills of judges and court staff, and to provide better judicial service to court users.

Two main areas have been identified: the quality of judicial work (skills and transfer of knowledge) and the low trust in the judiciary. Three project groups had been set up. The first two groups have been dealing with the skills of judges and the court staff. The first group has prepared online manual for new judges, procedural manuals in various fields of law, mentorship programmes and supervision techniques workshops. The second group has prepared specific manuals, mentorship programmes and on-line training courses for court staff. The third group has been addressing communication between courts and users and the low trust in the judiciary in Slovenia. The outputs aim to give court users the perception of respect, impartiality, inclusion and the opportunity to be heard and to contribute to the general trust in the judiciary, are numerous – from brochures and animated movies to an informative website in simple language.

All the activities promote the sharing of knowledge and skills, underline the independence and self-governance of the judiciary and reinforce the bond among the people who work in courts.

The project is financed within operation Efficient Justice. It is one of the four finalists for Crystal Scales of Justice prize nominated by The Council of Europe, the winner will be awarded in October in Oslo.