Some courts could be combined and others could be decentralized. The number of judges in the future judicial centers could also be increased. The proposals were formulated during a meeting at the Ministry of Justice where options for revising the judicial map were discussed.

In his opening remarks, Minister of Justice Sergiu Litvinenco spoke about the need for a comprehensive approach to the situation so that the reform of the courts produces long-lasting positive effects in the administration of justice, and the rights of citizens are protected. “Of course, there was, and still is some objective or subjective reluctance regarding this reform, but we will find that lately several states are going through the process of optimizing the courts, a process that is extremely complex and takes time. We have to find that balance between the interests of the litigants, optimal efficiency of the courts, and the quality of the judicial exercise”, said the minister.

The participants also discussed the state of the courthouses, with many of them needing repair, and the need to advance the process of building courthouses that would meet European standards. The proposals were formulated by representatives of civil society, the Working Group on the reform of the judicial map and the legal institutions of the Republic of Moldova.