The members of the Supreme Council of Magistrates (CSM) in 2012 instituted fewer disciplinary proceedings. However, they issued decisions by which they only took notice of the information presented by the Judicial Inspectorate about the violations committed by some of the judges. As a result of such decisions, the judge is only warned about the necessity of correctly and consistently implementing the law. According to the Legal Resources Center of Moldova, the value of such decisions leaves room for questions as they are not clearly defined by the law, IPN reports.
In a report, the Center says the data refers only to 2012 because legislative changes were made, whereby the members of the CSM were banned from challenging the disciplinary proceedings instituted against them. The activity report for last year presented by the CSM does not specify the number of warnings issued, their goal and if the situation changed, including in other courts of law.
The experts of the Legal Resources Center make reference to statements of some of the CSM members, who say that the members who until 2012 didn’t start many disciplinary proceedings, opposed to institute such proceedings in 2012 too.
Last year, ex-prosecutor general Valeriu Zubco and Minister of Justice Oleg Efrim instituted by 15 proceedings, but no penalty was imposed in 19 of them. University lecturer Alexandru Arseni started 11 proceedings, but five didn’t result in punishments.
When the report of the Legal Resources Center was presented, CSM president Nichifor Corochii said that it includes a broad analysis of the Council’s work, while the recommendations made in it are welcome as they will contribute to the improvement of the institution’s activity. He assured that the report will be examined and all the required measures will be taken so as to ensure the efficient work of the CSM and its bodies.
