Rule of Law: Success Stories
Macedonia Pilot Courts: “Best Practices” Show Good Results
In September of 2003, the USAID supported Macedonia Court Modernization Project introduced a court modernization strategy known as a “Pilot Court Implementation.” Seven Basic Courts are participating in this initial phase including, Tetovo, Bitola, Prilep, Struga, Stip, Kocani and Kriva Palanka. This approach has been used successfully to strengthen court practices in other parts of the world.
The goal is to introduce new and more effective administrative and managerial methodologies to improve the efficiency of the courts. The pilot courts will serve as showcase locations for how courts should function with the improved case management procedures, facilities, and information technology solutions. Best practices, including new technology, model caseflow procedures, standardized forms and model facility improvements, will be tested and replicated in other basic courts in Macedonia.
The pilot court approach introduces “model” court improvements in four key areas all aimed at improving court performance:
- Improved case management and records management procedures;
- Upgraded court design and facility improvements;
- Enhanced use of automation and other court technologies to improve efficiency;
- Improvements in the quality of service to the public.
The program resources are focused on improving the courts ability to provide better access to the public, to reduce case backlog and eliminate unnecessary delays. The seven pilot courts have been working very hard and are delivering positive results. Some of the results to date include:
Public user satisfaction. As measured by public response to onsite surveys (commonly known as Q-10) in each pilot court, public user satisfaction has improved from 55% of users expressing satisfaction in the October 2003 survey to 64% in May 2004.
New Goals for Reducing Backlog. The pilot Courts have established new standards and goals for reducing civil backlog and delay. Short-term results show a reduction of civil cases over 1 year by 10% and reduction in cases pending over 3 years by 33%. Courts have set up planning and control methods to identify and review delayed cases on a regular basis and the Court Coordinators have developed backlog tracking and aging reports to keep the court informed on performance.
Court Case Management/ Backlog Committees. Under the leadership of the President Judge, the pilot courts are forming committees to address case management and backlog. The committees will adopt improvement plans for 2004-2005.
Court Facility Improvements. Improvements to court facilities are underway and include redesigning public intake areas in four courts, security enhancements in ten courts, and the renovation of the records area and courtrooms in six courts.
MCMP remains optimistic that the leadership and best practices developed by the pilot courts will be a positive force in moving court modernization forward in Macedonia.
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