Study points to shortcomings in judicial system reform

The Moldovan authorities’ acts aimed at reforming the judicial system are declarative and corruption still persists in justice. The conclusion is contained in a new study titled “Reform of Justice in the Context of Implementing the EU-Moldova Plan of Action” made by Alexandru Cocarta, jurist by occupation and employee of a foreign company, Info-Prim Neo reports. The reform of the judicial system includes more shortcomings than positive changes, reviewer of the work and legal specialist Corneliu Gurin said at the launch of the study. The judges have to examine too many cases during a month, while the salaries do now allow them to remain impartial and independent. The study suggests that the judicial system does not have sufficient resources for important reforms. There are many cases with political facet that are investigated by the prosecutor’s office or other law enforcement bodies. The appointment of judges is also a problem. The author of the study says that the appointment procedure is too bureaucratic, while the examination of candidates is excessive. Though the creation of the National Institute of Justice is a positive step in the reform of Moldova’s judicial system, it seems that this is not enough for appointing judges, Corneliu Gurin said. The candidates must meet a number of conditions, take exams to be admitted to the Institute, learn a certain period of time there, take graduation exams. Afterward, the Supreme Council of Magistrates proposes the candidates and the head of state names them to the post, the reviewer said. The author of the study, who did not attend the launch, recommends the authorities to raise judges’ salaries, ease their work by reducing the number of cases, improve the legislation and impose tougher sanctions. He also says that the Supreme Council of Magistrates should be the only authority to decide on the judges’ career and the head of state should not intervene. The study was launched at the Association for Participative Democracy ADEPT with financial support from Soros-Moldova Foundation.