ZAGREB, Jan 4 (Hina) - The Croatian government on Thursday supported a reform of the judiciary, which is to include the re-organisation of the Justice Ministry into an independent ministry, while the sector of administration and local
self-government will be organised as a separate government office, Justice Minister Ingrid Anticevic Marinovic said at a news conference on Friday. The State Prosecutor's Office will again be in charge of criminal prosecution alone and will no longer represent the state in civil action because this solution did not prove good in practice, it was said. The best way to deal with a backlog of legal cases is to work overtime, which can practically begin immediately, the minister said. Since the reform of the judiciary is one of the government's strategic commitments, funds for that purpose have been secured, the minister claims. Only those judges who fill their quota will be able to work overtime,
ZAGREB, Jan 4 (Hina) - The Croatian government on Thursday
supported a reform of the judiciary, which is to include the re-
organisation of the Justice Ministry into an independent ministry,
while the sector of administration and local self-government will
be organised as a separate government office, Justice Minister
Ingrid Anticevic Marinovic said at a news conference on Friday.
The State Prosecutor's Office will again be in charge of criminal
prosecution alone and will no longer represent the state in civil
action because this solution did not prove good in practice, it was
said.
The best way to deal with a backlog of legal cases is to work
overtime, which can practically begin immediately, the minister
said. Since the reform of the judiciary is one of the government's
strategic commitments, funds for that purpose have been secured,
the minister claims.
Only those judges who fill their quota will be able to work
overtime, primarily on cases which are approaching the statute of
limitations and civil action initiated before 1997, she said.
Changes to the Law on Inheritance would transfer a large number of
probate disputes to public notaries thus facilitating the work of
the courts.
The minister also announced the adoption of more laws enabling the
transfer of distraint and clear relations between parties, which
have been dealt with by the courts so far, to public notaries.
The reform should also include the cancellation of jury trials
before courts of first instance, the minister said, adding that
changes to the Law on the Penal Procedure and Litigation had been
completed and that the courts would be computerised.
The government has already guaranteed judicial independence with
some of its moves, she said, adding "this authority does not use the
judiciary to enhance its political power." Judges are most
responsible for restoring the citizens' trust in the courts and
those who have a backlog of cases cannot claim that they work in a
responsible and independent manner.
Anticevic-Marinovic said she would exercise the right to initiate
disciplinary proceedings if she establishes that court presidents
are not taking adequate measures against irresponsible judges.
(hina) sb rml