Strasbourg, 15 May 2011

CEPEJ(2010)11

EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR THE EFFICIENCY OF JUSTICE

(CEPEJ)

SCHEME FOR EVALUATING JUDICIAL SYSTEMS

2010-2012 CYCLE

revised at the 16th plenary meeting of the CEPEJ

Strasbourg, 8-9 December 2010


Contents

1. Demographic and economic data. 3

1.1 Inhabitants and economic information. 3

1.2. Budgetary data concerning judicial system.. 3

2. Access to Justice and to all courts. 3

2.1 Legal aid. 3

2.2 Users of the courts and victims. 3

3. Organisation of the court system.. 3

3.1 Courts. 3

3.2 Judges and non-judge staff 3

3.3 Public prosecutors and staff 3

3.4 Court budget and New Technologies. 3

3.5 Performance and evaluation. 3

4. Fair trial 3

4.1 Principles. 3

4.2 Timeframes of proceedings. 3

5. Career of judges and public prosecutors. 3

5.1 Recruitment and promotion. 3

5.2 Training. 3

5.3 Practice of the profession. 3

5.4 Disciplinary procedures. 3

6. Lawyers. 3

6.1 Status of the profession and training. 3

6.2 Practising the profession. 3

6.3 Quality standards and disciplinary proceedings. 3

7. Alternative Dispute Resolution. 3

8. Enforcement of court decisions. 3

8.1 Execution of decisions in civil matters. 3

8.2 Execution of decisions in criminal matters. 3

9. Notaries. 3

10. Court interpreters. 3

11. Judicial experts. 3

12. Foreseen reforms. 3


 SCHEME FOR EVALUATING JUDICIAL SYSTEMS

COUNTRY:

National correspondent

First Name – Name            

Position                            

Organisation                      

E-mail                               

Telephone                         

1. Demographic and economic data

1.1 Inhabitants and economic information

1.             Number of inhabitants (if possible on 1 January 2011)                            

2.             Total of annual public expenditure at state level and where appropriate, public expenditure at regional or federal entity level (in €) - (If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP).

State level                                         NA  NAP

Regional / federal entity level (total for all regions / federal entities)               NA  NAP

3.             Per capita GDP (in €)        

4.             Average gross annual salary (in €)           

5.             Exchange rate of national currency (non-Euro zone) in € on 1 January 2011       

***

A.1       Please indicate the sources for questions 1 to 4 and give comments concerning the interpretation of the figures supplied if appropriate:

1.2. Budgetary data concerning judicial system

6.             Annual approved public budget allocated to the functioning of all courts, in € (if possible without the budget of the public prosecution services and without the budget of legal aid):

Amount (in €)

TOTAL annual approved budget allocated to the functioning of all courts (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7)

      / NA / NAP

1. Annual public budget allocated to (gross) salaries

      / NA / NAP

2. Annual public budget allocated to computerisation (equipment, investments, maintenance)

      / NA / NAP

3. Annual public budget allocated to justice expenses (expertise, interpretation, etc), without legal aid. NB: this does not concern the taxes and fees to be paid by the parties.

      / NA / NAP

4. Annual public budget allocated to court buildings (maintenance, operating costs)

      / NA / NAP

5. Annual public budget allocated to investments in new (court) buildings

      / NA / NAP

6. Annual public budget allocated to training and education

      / NA / NAP

7. Other (Please specify)

      / NA / NAP

7.             If you cannot separate the budget of the public prosecution services and the budget of legal aid from the budget allocated to all courts, please indicate it clearly. If “other”, please specify:

8.             Are litigants in general required to pay a court tax or fee to start a proceeding at a court

of general jurisdiction:

forcriminal cases?                              Yes              No

for other than criminal cases?  Yes              No

If yes, are there exceptions to the rule to pay court a tax or fee? Please provide comments on those exceptions:

9.            Annual income of court taxes or fees received by the State (in €)

                    NA  NAP

10.        Annual approved public budget allocated to the whole justice system, in € (this global budget does not include only the court system as defined under question 6, but also the prison system, the judicial protection of juveniles, the operation of the Ministry of Justice, etc.)

                    NA

11.  Please indicate the budgetary elements that are included in the whole justice system: 

Court system                                                                Yes  No    NA  NAP

Legal aid                                                                      Yes  No   NA  NAP

Public prosecution services                                          Yes  No   NA  NAP

Prison system                                                             Yes  No   NA  NAP

Probation services                                                        Yes  No   NA  NAP

Council of the judiciary                                                  Yes  No   NA  NAP

Judicial protection of juveniles                                      Yes  No   NA  NAP

Functioning of the Ministry of Justice                            Yes  No   NA  NAP

Refugees and asylum seekers services                          Yes  No   NA  NAP

Other                                                                           Yes  No   NA  NAP

If “other”, please specify:

12.  Annual approved public budget allocated to legal aid, in €. - If one or several data are not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.

 

Amount (in €)

Total annual approved public budget allocated to legal aid (12.1 + 12.2)

      / NA / NAP

12.1 Annual public budget allocated to legal aid in criminal law cases

      / NA / NAP

12.2 Annual public budget allocated to legal aid in other than criminal law cases

      / NA / NAP


13.  Total annual approved public budget allocated to the public prosecution services, in €

                                 NA  NAP

Please indicate any useful comment to explain the figures provided:

14.  Authorities formally responsible for the budgets allocated to the courts (multiple

options possible):

Preparation of the total court budget

Adoption of the total court budget

Management and allocation of the budget among the courts

Evaluation of the use of the budget at a national level

Ministry of Justice

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

Other ministry

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

Parliament

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

Supreme Court

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

High Judicial Council

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

Courts

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

Inspection body

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

Other

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

 Yes  No

 NA  NAP

15.  If any other Ministry and/or inspection body and/or other, please specify (considering

      question 14):

***

A.2       You can indicate below:

-              any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter

-               the characteristics of your budgetary system and the main reforms that have been implemented over the last two years

-               if available, an organisation scheme with a description of the competencies of the different authorities responsible for the budget process

Please indicate the sources for answering questions 6, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13:

2. Access to Justice and to all courts

2.1 Legal aid

16.  Does legal aid apply to:

Criminal cases

Other than criminal cases

Representation in court

 Yes  No  NA  NAP

 Yes  No  NA  NAP

Legal advice

 Yes  No  NA  NAP

 Yes  No  NA  NAP

17.  Does legal aid include the coverage of or the exemption from court fees?

                    Yes

                    No

If yes, please specify:

18.  Can legal aid be granted for the fees that are related to the enforcement of judicial

      decisions (e.g. fees of an enforcement agent)?

                    Yes

                    No

If yes, please specify:

19.        Can legal aid be granted for other costs (different from questions 16 to 18, e.g. fees of

            technical advisors or experts, costs of other legal professionals (notaries), travel costs etc.)?  

Criminal cases

Other than criminal cases

 Yes  No  NA  NAP

 Yes  No  NA  NAP

If yes, please specify:

20.          Number of cases referred to the court and for which legal aid has been granted. If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.

  

This question concerns only the annual number of cases for which legal aid has been granted to those referring a case to a court. It does not concern legal advice provided for cases that are not brought before the court.

Total

      / NA / NAP

Criminal cases

      / NA / NAP

Other than criminal cases

      / NA / NAP

Please specify when appropriate:

21.          In criminal cases, can individuals who do not have sufficient financial means be

assisted by a free of charge (or financed by a public budget) lawyer?

Accused individuals                                                 Yes              No

Victims                                                                   Yes              No

If yes, please specify:

22.          If yes, are individuals free to choose their lawyer within the framework of the legal aid system?

       Yes              No

23.          Does your country have an income and assets evaluation for granting legal aid to the

            Applicant. If you have such a system but no data available, please indicate NA. If you do not have such a system, please indicate NAP.

for criminal cases

 Yes

amount of annual income (if possible for one person) in €             NA NAP

amount of assets in €         NA NAP

No

for other than criminal cases?

 Yes

amount of annual income (if possible for one person) in €             NA NAP

amount of assets in €         NA NAP

No

Please provide comments to explain the figures provided:

24.          In other than criminal cases, is it possible to refuse legal aid for lack of merit of the case (for example for frivolous action or no chance of success)?

                    Yes

                    No

If yes, please explain the exact criteria for denying legal aid:

25.          Is the decision to grant or refuse legal aid taken by:

 the court?

 an authority external to the court?

 a mixed authority (court and external bodies)?

26.          Is there a private system of legal expense insurance enabling individuals (this does not concern companies or other legal persons) to finance court proceedings?

                    Yes

        No

If appropriate, please inform about the current development of such insurances in your country; is it a growing phenomenon?

27.          Can judicial decisions direct how legal costs, paid by the parties during the procedure, will be shared, in :

Yes

No

criminal cases?

other than criminal cases?

***

B.1       You can indicate below:

-              any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter

-               the characteristics of your legal aid system and the main reforms that have been implemented over the last two years

Please indicate the sources for answering questions 20 and 23:

2.2 Users of the courts and victims

2.2.1 Rights of the users and victims

28.          Are there official internet sites/portals (e.g. Ministry of Justice, etc.) for which the general public may have free of charge access to the following:

§  legal texts (e.g. codes, laws, regulations, etc.)?      Yes              No

Internet address(es):            

§  case-law of the higher court/s?                              Yes              No

Internet address(es):            

§  other documents (e.g. downloadable forms, online registration)?              Yes  No

Internet address(es):            

The websites mentioned could appear in particular on the internet website of the CEPEJ. Please specify what documents and information the addresses for “other documents” include:

29.          Is there an obligation to provide information to the parties concerning the foreseeable timeframes of proceedings?

                    Yes

        No

If yes, please specify:

30.          Is there a public and free-of-charge specific information system to inform and to help victims of crime?

                    Yes

        No

If yes, please specify:

31.          Are there special favourable arrangements to be applied, during judicial proceedings, to the following categories of vulnerable persons:

This question does not concern the police investigation phase of the procedure and does not concern compensation mechanisms for victims of criminal offences, which are addressed under questions 32 to 34.

Information mechanism

Special arrangements in court hearings

Other

Victims of rape

 Yes   No

 Yes   No

 Yes   No

Victims of terrorism

 Yes   No

 Yes   No

 Yes   No

Children (witnesses or victims)

 Yes   No

 Yes   No

 Yes   No

Victims of domestic violence

 Yes   No

 Yes   No

 Yes   No

Ethnic minorities

 Yes   No

 Yes   No

 Yes   No

Disabled persons

 Yes   No

 Yes   No

 Yes   No

Juvenile offenders

 Yes   No

 Yes   No

 Yes   No

Other (e.g. victims of human trafficking)

 Yes   No

 Yes   No

 Yes   No

If “other vulnerable person” and/or “other special arrangements”, please specify:

32.          Does your country allocate compensation for victims of crime?

                    Yes

        No

If yes, for which kind of offences?

33.          If yes, does this compensation consist in:

a public fund?

damages to be paid by the responsible person (decided by a court decision)?

a private fund?

34.          Are there studies that evaluate the recovery rate of the damages awarded by courts to victims?

                    Yes

        No

If yes, please inform about the recovery rate, the title of the studies, the frequency of the studies and the coordinating body:

35.          Do public prosecutors have a specific role with respect to the victims (protection and assistance)?

                    Yes

        No

If yes, please specify:

36.          Do victims of crime have the right to dispute a public prosecutor’s decision to discontinue a case?

Please verify the consistency of your answer with that of question 105 regarding the possibility for a public prosecutor "to discontinue a case without needing a judicial decision".

                    Yes

        No

        NAP (the public prosecutor cannot decide to discontinue a case on his/her own. A judicial decision is needed).

If necessary, please specify:

2.2.2 Confidence of citizens in their justice system

37.          Is there a system for compensating users in the following circumstances:

·                           excessive length of proceedings?    Yes  No

·                           non execution of court decisions?   Yes  No

·                           wrongful arrest?                                           Yes  No

·                           wrongful condemnation?                             Yes  No

Where appropriate, please give details on the compensation procedure, the number of cases, the result of the procedures and the existing mechanism for calculating the compensation (e.g. the amount per day for unjustified detentions or convictions):

38.          Does your country have surveys aimed at legal professionals and court users to measure their trust and/or satisfaction with the services delivered by the judicial system? (multiple options possible)

 (Satisfaction) surveys aimed at judges

 (Satisfaction) surveys aimed at court staff

 (Satisfaction) surveys aimed at public prosecutors

 (Satisfaction) surveys aimed at lawyers

 (Satisfaction) surveys aimed at the parties

 (Satisfaction) surveys aimed at other court users (e.g. jurors, witnesses, experts, interpreters, representatives of governmental agencies)

 (Satisfaction) surveys aimed at victims

If possible, please specify their titles, object and websites where they can be consulted:

39.          If possible, please specify:

Surveys at a regular interval

(for example annual)

Occasional surveys

Surveys at national level

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

Surveys at court level

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

40.          Is there a national or local procedure for making complaints about the functioning of the judicial system? (for example the handling of a case by a judge or the duration of a proceeding)

 Yes

 No

41.          Please specify which authority is responsible for dealing with such complaints and inform whether there is or not a time limit to respond and/or a time limit for dealing with the complaint (multiple options possible):

Time limit to respond (e.g. to acknowledge receipt of the complaint, to provide information on the follow-up to be given to the complaint, etc.)

Time limit for dealing with the complaint

No time limits

Court concerned

Higher court

Ministry of Justice

High Council of the Judiciary

Other external bodies (e.g. Ombudsman)

Please give information concerning the efficiency of this complaint procedure:

3. Organisation of the court system

3.1 Courts

42.          Number of courts considered as legal entities (administrative structures) and geographic locations. If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.

42.1 First instance courts of general jurisdiction

(legal entities)

      / NA / NAP

42.2 First instance specialised courts (legal entities)

      / NA / NAP

42.3 All the courts (geographic locations) (this includes 1st instance courts of general jurisdiction, first instance specialised courts, all second instance courts and courts of appeal and all supreme courts)

      / NA / NAP

43.          Number (legal entities) of first instance specialised courts (or specific judicial order). If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP. 

Total (must be the same as the data given under question 42.2)

      / NA / NAP

Commercial courts

      / NA / NAP

Labour courts

      / NA / NAP

Family courts

      / NA / NAP

Rent and tenancies courts

      / NA / NAP

Enforcement of criminal sanctions courts

      / NA / NAP

Administrative courts

      / NA / NAP

Insurance and / or social welfare courts

      / NA / NAP

Military courts

      / NA / NAP

Other specialised 1st instance courts

      / NA / NAP

If “other specialised 1st instance courts”, please specify:

44.          Is there a foreseen change in the structure of courts [for example a reduction of the number of courts (geographic locations) or a change in the powers of courts]?

                    Yes

        No

If yes, please specify:

45.          Number of first instance courts (geographic locations) competent for a case concerning:

a debt collection for small claims

      / NA / NAP

a dismissal

      / NA / NAP

a robbery

      / NA / NAP


Please give the definition for small claims and indicate the monetary value of a small claim:

***

            Please indicate the sources for answering questions 42, 43 and 45:

3.2 Judges and non-judge staff

Please make sure that public prosecutors and their staff are excluded from the following figures (they will be part of questions 55-60). If a distinction between staff attached to judges and staff attached to prosecutors cannot be made, please indicate it clearly.

Please indicate the number of posts that are actually filled at the date of reference and not the theoretical budgetary posts.

46.          Number of professional judges sitting in courts (if possible on 31 December 2010). If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.

 

            (please give the information in full-time equivalent and for permanent posts actually filled for all types of courts - general jurisdiction and specialised courts )

Total

Males

Females

Total number of professional judges (1 + 2 + 3)

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

 NAP

1. Number of first instance professional judges

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

 NAP

2. Number of second  instance (court of appeal) professional judges

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

 NAP

3. Number of supreme court professional judges

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

 NAP

Please provide any useful comment for interpreting the data above :

47.              Number of court presidents (professional judges). If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.

Total

Males

Females

Total number of court presidents (1 + 2 + 3)

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

 NAP

1. Number of first instance court presidents

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

 NAP

2. Number of second instance (court of appeal) court presidents

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

 NAP

3. Number of supreme court presidents

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

 NAP

48.          Number of professional judges sitting in courts on an occasional basis and who are paid as such (if possible on 31 December 2010):

Gross figure

      / NA / NAP

If possible, in full-time equivalent

      / NA / NAP

If necessary, please provide comments to explain the answer under question 48:

49.          Number of non-professional judges who are not remunerated but who can possibly receive a simple defrayal of costs (if possible on 31 December 2010) (e.g. lay judges and “juges consulaires”, but not arbitrators and persons sitting in a jury):

Gross figure

      / NA / NAP

50.          Does your judicial system include trial by jury with the participation of citizens?

        Yes

        No

If yes, for which type of case(s)?

51.          Number of citizens who were involved in such juries for the year of reference:

                    NA   NAP

52.          Number of non-judge staff who are working in courts for judges (if possible on 31 December 2010) (this data should not include the staff working for public prosecutors; see question 60)

(please give the information in full-time equivalent and for permanent posts actually filled)

Total non-judge staff working in courts (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5)

      / NA / NAP

1. Rechtspfleger (or similar bodies) with judicial or quasi-judicial tasks having autonomous competence and whose decisions could be subject to appeal           

      / NA / NAP

2. Non-judge staff whose task is to assist the judges (case file preparation, assistance during the hearing, court recording, helping to draft the decisions) such as registrars

      / NA / NAP

3. Staff in charge of different administrative tasks and of the management of the courts (human resources management, material and equipment management, including computer systems, financial and budgetary management, training management)

      / NA / NAP

4. Technical staff        

      / NA / NAP

5. Other non-judge staff

      / NA / NAP

If “other non-judge staff”, please specify:

53.          If there are Rechtspfleger (or similar bodies) in your judicial system, please describe briefly their status and duties:

54.          Have the courts delegated certain services, which fall within their powers, to private providers (e.g. IT services, training of staff, security, archives, cleaning)?

        Yes

        No

If yes, please specify:

***

C.1       You can indicate below:

-       any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter

-       the characteristics of your judicial system and the main reforms that have been implemented over the last two years

            Please indicate the sources for answering questions 46, 47, 48, 49 and 52

3.3 Public prosecutors and staff

55.          Number of public prosecutors (if possible on 31 December 2010). If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.  

(please give the information in full-time equivalent and for permanent posts actually filled, for all types of courts – ordinary and specialised jurisdictions)

Total

Males

Females

Total number of prosecutors (1 + 2 + 3)

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

 NAP

1. Number of prosecutors at first instance level

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

 NAP

2. Number of prosecutors at second  instance (court of appeal) level

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

 NAP

3. Number of prosecutors at supreme court level

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

 NAP

Please provide any useful comment for interpreting the data above :

56.  Number of heads of prosecution offices. If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.

Total

Males

Females

Total number of heads of prosecution offices (1 + 2 + 3)

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

 NAP

1. Number of heads of prosecution offices at first instance level

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

 NAP

2. Number of heads of prosecution offices at second instance (court of appeal) level

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

 NAP

3. Number of heads of prosecution offices at supreme court level

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

 NAP

Please provide any useful comment for interpreting the data above :

57.          Do other persons have similar duties to public prosecutors?

        Yes      Number (full-time equivalent)       / NA

                    No

58.          If yes, please specify their title and function:

59.       If yes, is their number included in the number of public prosecutors that you have indicated under question 55?

        Yes     

                    No

60.          Number of staff (non-public prosecutors) attached to the public prosecution service (if possible on 31 December 2010) (without the number of non-judge staff, see question 52) (in full-time equivalent and for permanent posts actually filled).

                    NA  

***

C.2       You can indicate below:

-       any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter

-       the characteristics of your judicial system and the main reforms that have been implemented over the last two years

            Please indicate the sources for answering questions 55, 56 and 60

3.4 Court budget and New Technologies

61.          Who is entrusted with responsibilities related to the budget within the court?

Preparation of the budget

Arbitration and allocation

Day to day management of the budget

Evaluation and control of the use of the budget

Management Board 

Court President  

Court administrative director 

Head of the court clerk office

Other

If “other”, please specify:

62.          For direct assistance to the judge/court clerk, what are the computer facilities used within the courts?

100% of courts

+50% of courts

- 50% of courts

- 10 % of courts

0 % of courts

Word processing

Electronic data-base of case-law

Electronic files

E-mail

Internet connection

63.          For administration and management, what are the computer facilities used within the courts?

100% of courts

+50% of courts

- 50% of courts

- 10 % of courts

0 % of courts

Case registration system

Court management information system

Financial information system

Videoconferencing

64.          For the electronic communication and exchange of information between the courts and their environment, what are the computer facilities used by the courts?

100% of courts

+50% of courts

- 50% of courts

- 10 % of courts

0 % of courts

Electronic web forms

Website

Follow-up of cases online

Electronic registers

Electronic processing of small claims

Electronic processing of undisputed debt recovery

Electronic submission of claims

Videoconferencing

Other electronic communication facilities

If there are “other electronic communication facilities”, please specify:

65.        The use of videoconferencing in the courts (details on question 63):

65.1 In criminal cases, do courts or prosecution offices use videoconferencing for hearings in the presence of defendants or witnesses?  Yes     No

65.2 If yes, can such court hearing be held in the police station and/or in the prison?  Yes           No

65.3 Is there any specific legislation on the conditions for using videoconferencing in the courts / prosecution offices, especially in order to protect the rights of the defence?  Yes  No

65.4     Is videoconferencing used in other than criminal cases  Yes       No

Please give any clarification on the legal framework and the development of videoconferencing in your country

***

C.3       You can indicate below:

-       any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter

-       the characteristics of your judicial system and the main reforms that have been implemented over the last two years

3.5 Performance and evaluation

66.          Is there a centralised institution that is responsible for collecting statistical data regarding the functioning of the courts and judiciary?

                    Yes

                    No

If yes, please indicate the name and the address of this institution:

67.          Are individual courts required to prepare an annual activity report (that includes, for example, data on the number of cases processed or pending cases, the number of judges and administrative staff, targets and assessment of the activity)?

                    Yes

                    No

68.          Do you have, within the courts, a regular monitoring system of court activities concerning:

The monitoring system aims to assess the day-to-day activity of the courts (namely, what the courts produce) thanks in particular to data collections and statistical analysis (see also questions 80 and 81).

 Number of incoming cases?

 Number of decisions delivered?

 Number of postponed cases?

 Length of proceedings (timeframes)?

 Other?

If “other”, please specify:

69.          Do you have a system to evaluate regularly the activity (in terms of performance and output) of each court?

The evaluation system refers to the performance of the court systems with prospective concerns, using indicators and targets. The evaluation may be of more qualitative nature (see questions 69-77). It does not refer to the evaluation of the overall (good) functioning of the court (see question 82).

                    Yes

                    No

Please specify:

70.          Concerning court activities, have you defined performance and quality indicators (if no, please skip to question 72)

                    Yes

                    No

71.          Please select the 4 main performance and quality indicators that have been defined:

 incoming cases

 length of proceedings (timeframes)

 closed cases

 pending cases and backlogs

 productivity of judges and court staff

 percentage of cases that are processed by a single sitting judge

 enforcement of penal decisions

 satisfaction of court staff

 satisfaction of users (regarding the services delivered by the courts)

 judicial quality and organisational quality of the courts

 costs of the judicial procedures

 other:

If “other”, please specify:

72.          Are there quantitative performance targets (for instance a number of cases to be addressed in a month) defined for each judge?

                    Yes

                    No

73.          Who is responsible for setting the targets for each judge?

 Executive power (for example the Ministry of Justice)

 Legislative power

 Judicial power (for example a High Judicial Council or a higher court)

 Other

If “other”, please specify:

74.          Are there performance targets defined at the level of the court (if no please skip to question 77)?

                    Yes

                    No

75.          Who is responsible for setting the targets for the courts?

 Executive power (for example the Ministry of Justice)

 Legislative power

 Judicial power (for example High Judicial Council, Higher Court)

 Other

If “other”, please specify:

76.          Please specify the main targets applied to the courts:

77.          Who is responsible for evaluating the performance of the courts (see questions 69 to 76)? (multiple options possible)

 High Council of judiciary?

 Ministry of Justice?

 Inspection authority?

 Supreme Court?

 External audit body?

 Other?

If “other”, please specify:

78.          Are quality standards determined for the whole judicial system (are there quality systems for the judiciary and/or judicial quality policies)?

                    Yes

                    No

If yes, please specify:

79.          Do you have specialised court staff that is entrusted with these quality standards?

                    Yes

                    No

80.          Do you monitor backlogs and cases that are not processed within a reasonable timeframe for:

civil law cases?                                  Yes No

criminal law cases                              Yes No

administrative law cases?                  Yes No

81.          Do you monitor waiting time during court procedures?

                    Yes

                    No

If yes, please specify:

82.          Is there a system to evaluate the overall (smooth) functioning of courts on the basis of an evaluation plan (plan of visits) agreed beforehand?

This question does not concern the specific evaluation of performance indicators.

                    Yes

                    No

Please specify the frequency of the evaluation:

83.          Is there a system for monitoring and evaluating the performance of the public prosecution service?

                    Yes

                    No

If yes, please give further details:

***

C.4       You can indicate below:

§  any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter

§  the characteristics of your court monitoring and evaluation systems

4. Fair trial

4.1 Principles

84.          Percentage of first instance criminal in absentia judgments (cases in which the suspect is not attending the hearing in person nor represented by a legal professional)?

      / NA / NAP

85.          Is there a procedure to effectively challenge a judge if a party considers that the judge is not impartial?

                    Yes      Number of successful challenges (in a year):        / NA

                    No

86.          Number of cases regarding Article 6 of the European Convention of Human Rights on duration and non-execution. If data is not available, please indicate NA.

Cases declared inadmissible by the Court

Friendly settlements

Judgments establishing a violation

Judgments establishing a non violation

Civil proceedings - Article 6§1 (duration)

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

Civil proceedings - Article 6§1 (non-execution)

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

Criminal proceedings - Article 6§1 (duration)

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

      / NA

Please indicate the sources:

***

D.1       You can indicate below any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter

4.2 Timeframes of proceedings

4.2.1 General information

87.          Are there specific procedures for urgent matters as regards:

civil cases?                             Yes No

criminal cases?                       Yes No

administrative cases?             Yes No

 There is no specific procedure

If yes, please specify:

88.          Are there simplified procedures for:

civil cases? (small disputes)               Yes No

criminal cases? (small offences)         Yes No

administrative cases?             Yes No

 There is no simplified procedure

If yes, please specify:

89.          Do courts and lawyers have the possibility to conclude agreements on arrangements for processing cases (presentation of files, decisions on timeframes for lawyers to submit their conclusions and on dates of hearings)?

                    Yes

                    No

If yes, please specify: 

4.2.2 Case flow management and timeframes of judicial proceedings

90.          First instance courts: number of other than criminal and criminal law cases

The national correspondents are invited to pay special attention to the quality of the answers to questions 91 to 102 regarding case flow management and timeframes of judicial proceedings. The CEPEJ agreed that the subsequent data would be processed and published only if answers from a significant number of member states – taking into account the data presented in the previous report – are given, enabling a useful comparison between the systems.

91.          Number of other than criminal law cases. If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.

 

The total of “other than criminal” cases includes all of the following categories (categories 1 to 7; contrary to the previous questionnaire).

Pending cases on 1 Jan.‘10

Incoming cases

Resolved cases

Pending cases on 31 Dec.‘10

Total of other than criminal law  cases (1+2+3+4+5+6+7)

NA / NAP

NA / NAP

NA / NAP

NA / NAP

1. Civil (and commercial) litigious cases (if feasible without administrative law cases, see category 6)

NA / NAP

NA / NAP

NA / NAP

NA / NAP

2. Civil (and commercial) non-litigious cases, e.g. uncontested payment orders, request for a change of name, etc. (if feasible without administrative law cases; without enforcement cases, registration cases and other cases, see categories 3-7)

NA / NAP

NA / NAP

NA / NAP

NA / NAP

3. Enforcement cases

NA / NAP

NA / NAP

NA / NAP

NA / NAP

4. Land registry cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

5. Business registry cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

6. Administrative law cases (litigious and non-litigious)

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

7. Other cases (e.g. insolvency registry cases)

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

Note 1: the cases mentioned in categories 3 to 5 (enforcement, land registry, business register) should be presented separately in the table. The cases mentioned in category 6 (administrative law cases) should also be separately mentioned for the countries which have specialised administrative courts or separate administrative law procedures or are able to distinguish in another way between administrative law cases and civil law cases.

Note 2: please check if the figures submitted are (horizontally and vertically) consistent. Horizontal consistent data means that: "(pending cases on 1 January 2010 + incoming cases) – resolved cases" should give the correct number of pending cases on 31 December 2010. Vertical consistency of data means that the sum of the individual case categories 1 to 7 should reflect the total number of other than criminal law cases.

92.          If courts deal with “civil (and commercial) non-litigious cases”, please indicate the case categories included:

93.  If “other cases”, please indicate the case categories included:

94.          Number of criminal law cases. If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.

Pending cases on 1 Jan.‘10

Incoming cases

Resolved cases

Pending cases on 31 Dec.‘10

Total of criminal cases (8+9)

NA / NAP

NA / NAP

NA / NAP

NA / NAP

8. Severe criminal cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

9. Misdemeanour and / or minor criminal cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

Note: please check if the figures submitted are (horizontally and vertically) consistent. Horizontal consistent data means that: "(pending cases on 1 January 2010 + incoming cases) – resolved cases" should give the correct number of pending cases on 31 December 2010. Vertical consistency of data means that the sum of the categories 8 and 9 for criminal cases should reflect the total number of criminal cases.

95.          The classification of cases between severe criminal cases and misdemeanour and/or minor criminal cases may be difficult. Some countries might have other ways of addressing misdemeanour offences (for example via administrative law procedures).Please indicate, if feasible, what case categories are included under "severe criminal cases" and the cases included under "misdemeanour and /or minor criminal cases".

96.          Comments on questions 91 to 95 (specific situation in your country e.g. NA-answers and the calculation of the total number of other than criminal law cases, differences in horizontal consistency etc.)

97.          Second instance courts: total number of cases

Number of “other than criminal law” cases.

If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.

The total of “other than criminal” cases includes all of the following categories (categories 1 to 7; contrary to the previous questionnaire).

Pending cases on 1 Jan.‘10

Incoming cases

Resolved cases

Pending cases on 31 Dec.‘10

Total of other than criminal law  cases (1+2+3+4+5+6+7)

     

NA / NAP

     

NA  NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

1. Civil (and commercial) litigious cases (if feasible without administrative law cases, see category 6)

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

2. Civil (and commercial) non-litigious cases, e.g. uncontested payment orders, request for a change of name, etc. (if feasible without administrative law cases; without enforcement cases, registration cases and other cases, see categories 3-7)

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

3. Enforcement cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

4. Land registry cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

5. Business registry cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

6. Administrative law cases (litigious and non-litigious)

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

7. Other cases (e.g. insolvency registry cases)

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

98.          Number of criminal law cases. If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.

Pending cases on 1 Jan.‘10

Incoming cases

Resolved cases

Pending cases on 31 Dec.‘10

Total of criminal cases (8+9)

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

8. Severe criminal cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

9. Misdemeanour and / or minor criminal cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

Comments:

99.          Highest instance courts: total number of cases

Number of “other than criminal law” cases:

If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.

The total of “other than criminal law” cases includes all of the following categories (categories 1 to 7; contrary to the previous questionnaire).

Pending cases on 1 Jan.‘10

Incoming cases

Resolved cases

Pending cases on 31 Dec.‘10

Total of other than criminal law  cases (1+2+3+4+5+6+7)

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

1. Civil (and commercial) litigious cases (if feasible without administrative law cases, see category 6)

     

NA / NAP

     

NA  / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA  / NAP

2. Civil (and commercial) non-litigious cases, e.g. uncontested payment orders, request for a change of name, etc. (if feasible without administrative law cases; without enforcement cases, registration cases and other cases, see categories 3-7)

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

3. Enforcement cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

4. Land registry cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

5. Business registry cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

6. Administrative law cases (litigious and non-litigious)

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

7. Other cases (e.g. insolvency registry cases)

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

100.        Number of criminal law cases. If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.

Pending cases on 1 Jan.‘10

Incoming cases

Resolved cases

Pending cases on 31 Dec.‘10

Total of criminal cases (8+9)

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

8. Severe criminal cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

9. Misdemeanour and / or minor criminal cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

Comments:

101.        Number of litigious divorce cases, employment dismissal cases, robbery cases and intentional homicide cases received and processed by first instance courts:

Pending cases on 1 Jan.‘10

Incoming cases

Resolved cases

Pending cases on 31 Dec‘10

Litigious divorce cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

Employment dismissal cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

Robbery cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

Intentional homicide

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

102.        Average length of proceedings, in days (from the date the application for judicial review is lodged). If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.

The average length of proceedings has to be calculated from the date the application for judicial review is lodged to the date the judgment is made, without taking into account the enforcement procedure. New: the question concerns first, second and third instance proceedings.

% of decisions subject to appeal

% of pending cases for more than 3 years

Average length in 1st instance (in days)

Average length in 2nd instance (in days)

Average length in 3rd instance (in days)

Average total length of the total procedure (in days)

Litigious divorce cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

Employment dismissal cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

Robbery cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

Intentional homicide

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

103.        Where appropriate, please inform about the specific procedure as regards divorce cases (litigious and non-litigious):

104.        How is the length of proceedings calculated for the four case categories? Please give a description of the calculation method.

105.        Role and powers of the public prosecutor in the criminal procedure (multiple options possible):

 to conduct or supervise police investigation

 to conduct investigations

 when necessary, to request investigation measures from the judge

 to charge

 to present the case in the court

 to propose a sentence to the judge

 to appeal

 to supervise the enforcement procedure

 to discontinue a case without requiring a judicial decision (ensure consistency with question 36!)

 to end the case by imposing or negotiating a penalty or measure without requiring a judicial decision

 other significant powers

If “other significant powers”, please specify:

106.        Does the public prosecutor also have a role in civil and/or administrative cases?

                    Yes

                    No

If yes, please specify:

107.        Case proceedings managed by the public prosecutor

Total number of 1st instance criminal cases

If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.

Received by the public prosecutor

Cases discontinued by the public prosecutor (see 108 below)

Cases concluded by a penalty or a measure imposed or negotiated by the public prosecutor

Cases charged by the public prosecutor before the courts

Total number of 1st instance criminal cases

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

     

NA / NAP

108.        Total cases which were discontinued by the public prosecutor

Total cases which were discontinued by the public prosecutor (1+2+3)

     

NA / NAP

1. Discontinued by the public prosecutor because the offender could not be identified

     

NA / NAP

2. Discontinued by the public prosecutor due to the lack of an established offence or a specific legal situation

     

NA / NAP

3. Discontinued by the public prosecutor for reasons of opportunity

     

NA / NAP

109.        Do the figures include traffic offence cases?

                    Yes

                    No

***

D.2       You can indicate below:

§  any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter

§  the characteristics of your system concerning timeframes of proceedings and the main reforms that have been implemented over the last two years

Please indicate the sources for answering questions 91, 94, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 107 and 108.

5. Career of judges and public prosecutors

5.1 Recruitment and promotion

110.        How are judges recruited?

 mainly through a competitive exam (for instance, following a university degree in law)

 mainly through a recruitment procedure for legal professionals with long-time working experience in the legal field (for example lawyers)

 a combination of both (competitive exam and working experience)

 other

If “other”, please specify:

111.        Authority(ies) in charge

Are judges initially/at the beginning of their career recruited and nominated by: (ex. 102.1)

This question strictly concerns the authority entrusted with the decision to recruit (not the authority formally responsible for the nomination if different from the former).

 an authority made up of judges only?

 an authority made up of non-judges only?

 an authority made up of judges and non-judges?

Please indicate the name of the authority(ies) involved in the whole procedure of recruitment and nomination of judges. If there are several authorities, please describe their respective roles:

112.        Is the same authority competent for the promotion of judges?

                    Yes

                    No

If no, which authority is competent for the promotion of judges?

113.        Which procedures and criteria are used for promoting judges? Please specify

114.        Is there a system of qualitative individual assessment of the judges’ activity?

                    Yes

                    No

115.        Is the status of prosecution services:

 independent?

 under the authority of the Minister of justice ?

 other

            Please specify:

116.        How are public prosecutors recruited?

 mainly through a competitive exam (for instance, following a university degree in law)

 mainly through a recruitment procedure for legal professionals with long-time working experience in the legal field (for example lawyers)

 a combination of both (competitive exam and working experience)

 other

If “other”, please specify:

117.        Authority(ies) in charge

Are public prosecutors initially/at the beginning of their career recruited by:

This question concerns the authority entrusted with the responsibility to recruit only (not the authority formally responsible for the nomination if different from the former).

 an authority composed of public prosecutors only?

 an authority composed of non-public prosecutors only?

 an authority composed of public prosecutors and non-public prosecutors?

Please indicate the name of the authority(ies) involved in the whole procedure of recruitment and nomination of public prosecutors. If there are several authorities, please describe their respective roles:

118.        Is the same authority formally responsible for the promotion of public prosecutors?

                    Yes

                    No

If no, please specify which authority is competent for promoting public prosecutors:

119.        Which procedures and criteria are used for promoting public prosecutors? Please specify:

120.        Is there a system of qualitative individual assessment of the public prosecutors’ activity?

                    Yes

                    No

121.        Are judges appointed to office for an undetermined period (i.e. "for life" = until the official age of retirement)?

                    Yes

                    No

If yes, are there exceptions (e.g. dismissal as a disciplinary sanction)? Please specify:

122.        Is there a probation period for judges (e.g. before being appointed "for life")? If yes, how long is this period? If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.

                    Yes      Duration of the probation period (in years):      

                    No

        NAP

123.        Are public prosecutors appointed to office for an undetermined period (i.e. "for life" = until the official age of retirement)?

                    Yes

                    No

If yes, are there exceptions (e.g. dismissal as a disciplinary sanction)? Please specify:

124.        Is there a probation period for public prosecutors? If yes, how long is this period?

                    Yes      Duration of the probation period (in years):      

                    No

125.        If the mandate for judges is not for an undetermined period (see question 121), what is the length of the mandate (in years)? Is it renewable?

        NA

        NAP

For judges :

length of the mandate (in years):                 Renewable?  Yes       No

126.        If the mandate for public prosecutors is not for an undetermined period (see question 123), what is the length of the mandate (in years)? Is it renewable?

        NA

        NAP

For public prosecutors :

length of the mandate (in years):                 Renewable?  Yes       No

***

E.1       You can indicate below:

§  any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter

§  the characteristics of the selection and nomination procedure of judges and public prosecutors and the main reforms that have been implemented over the last two years

5.2 Training

127.        Training of judges:

Compulsory

Optional

No training offered

Initial training (e.g. attend a judicial school, traineeship in the court)

General in-service training

In-service training for specialised judicial functions (e.g. judge for economic or administrative issues)

In-service training for management functions of the court (e.g. court president)

In-service training for the use of computer facilities in courts

128.        Frequency of the in-service training of judges :

Annual/Regular (e.g. every 3 months)

Occasional (e.g. at times)

No training proposed

General in-service training

In-service training for specialised judicial functions (e.g. judge for economic or administrative issues)

In-service training for management functions of the court (e.g. court president)

In-service training for the use of computer facilities in courts

129.        Training of public prosecutors:

Compulsory

Optional

No training proposed

Initial training

General in-service training

In-service training for specialised functions (e.g. public prosecutor specialised on organised crime)

In-service training for management functions of the court (e.g. Head of prosecution office, manager)

In-service training for the use of computer facilities in office

130.        Frequency of the in-service training of public prosecutors:

Annual/Regular (e.g. every 3 months)

Occasional (e.g. at times)

No training proposed

General in-service training

In-service training for specialised functions (e.g. public prosecutor specialised on organised crime)

In-service training for management functions of the court (e.g. Head of prosecution office, manager)

In-service training for the use of computer facilities in office

131.        Do you have public training institutions for judges and / or prosecutors? If yes, what is the budget of such institution(s)?

Initial training only

Continuous training only

Initial and continuous training

2010 budget of the institution, in €

One institution for judges

            NA / NAP

One institution for prosecutors

            NA / NAP

One single institution for both judges and prosecutors

            NA / NAP

If your judicial training institutions do not correspond to these criteria, please specify it:

***

E.2       You can indicate below:

§  any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter

§  comments regarding the attention given in the curricula to the European Convention on Human Rights and the case law of the Court

§  the characteristics of your training system for judges and public prosecutors and the main reforms that have been implemented over the last two years

5.3 Practice of the profession

132.        Salaries of judges and public prosecutors:

Gross annual salary, in €, on 31 December 2010

Net annual salary, in €, on 31 December 2010

First instance professional judge at the beginning of his/her career

           

           

Judge of the Supreme Court or the Highest Appellate Court (please indicate the average salary of a judge at this level, and not the salary of the Court President)

           

           

Public prosecutor at the beginning of his/her career

           

           

Public prosecutor of the Supreme Court or the Highest Appellate Instance (please indicate the average salary of a public prosecutor at this level, and not the salary of the Public prosecutor General)

           

           

Comments and sources:

133.        Do judges and public prosecutors have additional benefits?

Judges

Public prosecutors

Reduced taxation

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

Special pension

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

Housing

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

Other financial benefit

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

134.        If “other financial benefit”, please specify:

135.        Can judges combine their work with any of the following other functions?

With remuneration

Without remuneration

Teaching

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

Research and publication

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

Arbitrator

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

Consultant

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

Cultural function

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

Political function

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

Other function

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

136.        If rules exist in your country (e.g. authorisation needed to perform these activities), please specify. If “other function”, please specify.

137.        Can public prosecutors combine their work with any of the following other functions?

With remuneration

Without remuneration

Teaching

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

Research and publication

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

Arbitrator

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

Consultant

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

Cultural function

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

Political function

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

Other

function

 Yes  No

 Yes  No

138.        Please specify existing rules (e.g. authorisation to perform the whole or a part of these activities). If “other function”, please specify:

139.        Productivity bonuses: do judges receive bonuses based on the fulfilment of quantitative objectives in relation to the delivery of judgments (e.g. number of judgments delivered over a given period of time)?

                    Yes

                    No

If yes, please specify the conditions and possibly the amounts:

***

5.4 Disciplinary procedures

140.        Who has been authorised to initiate disciplinary proceedings against judges (multiple options possible)?

 Citizens

 Relevant Courtor hierarchical superior

 High Court / Supreme Court

 High Judicial Council

 Disciplinary court or body

 Ombudsman

 Parliament

 Executive power

 Other?

 This is not possible

If "executive power" and/or "other", please specify:

141.        Who has been authorised to initiate disciplinary proceedings against public prosecutors: (multiple options possible):

 Citizens

 Head of the organisational unit or hierarchical superior public prosecutor

 Prosecutor General /State public prosecutor

 Public prosecutorial Council (and Judicial Council)

 Disciplinary court or body

 Ombudsman

 Professional body

 Executive power

 Other?

 This is not possible

If "executive power" and/or "other", please specify:

142.        Which authority has disciplinary power on judges? (multiple options possible)

 Court

 Higher Court / Supreme Court

 Judicial Council

 Disciplinary court or body

 Ombudsman

 Parliament

 Executive power

 Other?

If "executive power" and/or "other", please specify:

143.        Which authority has the disciplinary power on public prosecutors? (multiple options possible):

 Supreme Court

 Head of the organisational unit or hierarchical superior public prosecutor

 Prosecutor General /State public prosecutor

 Public prosecutorial Council (and Judicial Council)

 Disciplinary court or body

 Ombudsman

 Professional body

 Executive power

 Other?

If "executive power" and/or "other", please specify:

144.        Number of disciplinary proceedings initiated against judges and public prosecutors. If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.

If disciplinary proceedings are undertaken because of several mistakes, please count the proceedings only once and for the main mistake.

Judges

Public prosecutors

Total number (1+2+3+4)

      / NA / NAP

      / NA / NAP

1. Breach of professional ethics

      / NA / NAP

      / NA / NAP

2. Professional  inadequacy

      / NA / NAP

      / NA / NAP

3. Criminal offence

      / NA / NAP

      / NA / NAP

4. Other

      / NA / NAP

      / NA / NAP

If “other”, please specify:

145.        Number of sanctions pronounced against judges and public prosecutors. If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP.

Judges

Public prosecutors

Total number (total 1 to 9)

      / NA / NAP

      / NA / NAP

1. Reprimand

      / NA / NAP

      / NA / NAP

2. Suspension

      / NA / NAP

      / NA / NAP

3. Withdrawal from cases

      / NA / NAP

      / NA / NAP

4. Fine

      / NA / NAP

      / NA / NAP

5. Temporary reduction of salary

      / NA / NAP

      / NA / NAP

6. Position downgrade

      / NA / NAP

      / NA / NAP

7. Transfer to another geographical (court) location

      / NA / NAP

      / NA / NAP

8. Dismissal

      / NA / NAP

      / NA / NAP

9. Other

      / NA / NAP

      / NA / NAP

If “other”, please specify. If a significant difference between the number of disciplinary proceedings and the number of sanctions exists, please indicate the reasons.

***

E.3       You can indicate below:

§  any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter

§  the characteristics of your system concerning disciplinary procedures for judges and public prosecutors and the main reforms that have been implemented over the last two years

Please indicate the sources for answering questions 144 and 145

6. Lawyers

6.1 Status of the profession and training

146.        Total number of lawyers practising in your country:

      / NA / NAP

147.        Does this figure include “legal advisors” who cannot represent their clients in court (for example, some solicitors or in-house counsellors)?

                    Yes

                    No

148.        Number of legal advisors who cannot represent their clients in court:

      / NA NAP

149.        Do lawyers have a monopoly on legal representation in (multiple options are possible):

             Civil cases?                         Yes                  No

             Criminal cases - Defendant?  Yes      No

             Criminal cases - Victim?        Yes                  No

             Administrative cases?           Yes                  No

 There is no monopoly

If there is no monopoly, please specify the organisations or persons that may represent a client before a court (for example a NGO, a family member, a trade union, etc) and for which types of cases:

150.        Is the lawyer profession organised through? (multiple options possible)

 a national bar?

 a regional bar?

 a local bar?

151.        Is there a specific initial training and/or examination to enter the profession of lawyer?

                    Yes

                    No

If not, please indicate if there are other specific requirements as regards diplomas or university degrees :

152.        Is there a mandatory general system for lawyers requiring in-service professional training?

                    Yes

                    No

153.        Is the specialisation in some legal fields tied with specific training, levels of qualification, specific diploma or specific authorisations?

                    Yes

                    No

If yes, please specify:

***

F.1       Please indicate the sources for answering questions 146 and 148:

Comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter:

6.2 Practising the profession

154.        Can court users establish easily what the lawyers’ fees will be (i.e. do users have easy access to prior information on the foreseeable amount of fees, is the information transparent and accountable)?

                    Yes

                    No

155.        Are lawyers' fees freely negotiated?

 Yes

  No

156.        Do laws or bar association standards provide any rules on lawyers’ fees (including those freely negotiated)?

 Yes laws provide rules

 Yes standards of the bar association provide rules

 No, neither laws nor bar association standards provide rules

***

F.2       Useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter:

6.3 Quality standards and disciplinary proceedings

157.        Have quality standards been determined for lawyers?

                    Yes

                    No

If yes, what are the quality criteria used?

158.        If yes, who is responsible for formulating these quality standards:

 the bar association?

 the Parliament?

 other?

If “other”, please specify:

159.        Is it possible to file a complaint about :

 the performance of lawyers?

 the amount of fees?

Please specify:

160.        Which authority is responsible for disciplinary procedures?

 The judge

 Ministry of Justice

 a professional authority

 Other

If other, please specify:

161.        Disciplinary proceedings initiated against lawyers. If data is not available, please indicate NA. If the situation is not applicable in your country, please indicate NAP. If "other", please specify it in the "comment" box below.

 

If disciplinary proceedings are undertaken because of several mistakes, please count the proceedings only once and for the main mistake.

Total number of disciplinary proceedings initiated (1 + 2 + 3 + 4)

      / NA / NAP

1. Breach of professional ethics

      / NA / NAP

2. Professional inadequacy

      / NA / NAP

3. Criminal offence

      / NA / NAP

4. Other

      / NA / NAP

If "other", please specify:

162.        Sanctions pronounced against lawyers:.

Total number of sanctions (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5)

      / NA / NAP

1. Reprimand

      / NA / NAP

2. Suspension

      / NA / NAP

3. Removal

      / NA / NAP

4. Fine

      / NA / NAP

5. Other (e.g. disbarment)

      / NA / NAP

If "other", please specify. If a significant difference between the number of disciplinary proceedings and the number of sanctions exists, please indicate the reasons.

***

F.3       You can indicate below any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter

7. Alternative Dispute Resolution

163.        Does the legal system provide for judicial mediation procedures? If no please skip to question 168.

Judicial mediation: in this type of mediation, there is always the intervention of a judge or a public prosecutor who facilitates, advises on, decides on or/and approves the procedure. For example, in civil disputes or divorce cases, judges may refer parties to a mediator if they believe that more satisfactory results can be achieved for both parties. In criminal law cases, a public prosecutor can propose that he/she mediates a case between an offender and a victim (for example to establish a compensation agreement).

        Yes

                    No

164.        Please specify, by type of cases, the organisation of judicial mediation:  

Court annexed mediation

Private mediator

Public authority (other than the court)

Judge

Public prosecutor

Civil and commercial cases

Family law cases (ex. divorce)

Administrative cases

Employment dismissals

Criminal cases

165.        Is there a possibility to receive legal aid for judicial mediation procedures?

                    Yes

                    No

If yes, please specify:

166.        Number of accredited or registered mediators who practice judicial mediation:

      / NA / NAP

167.        Number of judicial mediation procedures.

Total number of cases (total 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5)                             / NA / NAP

1.   civil cases                                                                               / NA / NAP

2.   family cases                                                                             / NA / NAP

3.   administrative cases                                                                / NA / NAP

4.   employment dismissal cases                                                   / NA / NAP

5.    criminal cases                                                                         / NA / NAP

Please indicate the source

168.        Does the legal system provide for the following ADR:

Mediation other than judicial mediation?        Yes  No

Arbitration?                                                     Yes  No

Conciliation?                                                   Yes  No

Other alternative dispute resolution?               Yes  No

If “other”, please specify:

***

G.1       You can indicate below:

§  any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter

§  the characteristics of your system concerning ADR and the main reforms that have been implemented over the last two years

Please indicate the source for answering question 166:

8. Enforcement of court decisions

8.1 Execution of decisions in civil matters

8.1.1 Functioning

169.        Do you have enforcement agents in your judicial system?

             Yes                          No

170.        Number of enforcement agents                      

      / NA / NAP

171.        Are enforcement agents (multiple options are possible):

 judges?

 bailiffs practising as private professionals under the authority (control) of public authorities?

 bailiffs working in a public institution?

 other enforcement agents?

Please specify their status and powers:

172.        Is there a specific initial training or examination to become an enforcement agent?

             Yes              No

173.        Is the profession of enforcement agents organised by:

 a national body?

 a regional body?

 a local body?

             NAP (the profession is not organised)

174.        Are enforcement fees easily established and transparent for the court users?

             Yes                          No

175.        Are enforcement fees freely negotiated?

             Yes                          No

176.        Do laws provide any rules on enforcement fees (including those freely negotiated)?

             Yes                          No

***

Please indicate the source for answering question 170:

8.1.2 Efficiency of enforcement services

177.        Is there a body entrusted with supervising and monitoring the enforcement agents’ activity?

             Yes                          No

178.        Which authority is responsible for supervising and monitoring enforcement agents?  

 a professional body

 the judge

 the Ministry of Justice

 the public prosecutor

 other

If “other”, please specify:

179.        Have quality standards been determined for enforcement agents?

             Yes                          No

If yes, what are the quality criteria used?

180.        If yes, who is responsible for establishing these quality standards?

 a professional body

 the judge

 the Ministry of Justice

 other

If “other”, please specify:

181.        Is there a specific mechanism for executing court decisions rendered against public authorities, including for supervising such execution?

             Yes                          No

            If yes, please specify:

182.        Is there a system for monitoring the execution?

             Yes                          No

            If yes, please specify:

183.        What are the main complaints made by users concerning the enforcement procedure?

Please indicate a maximum of 3.

 no execution at all

 non execution of court decisions against public authorities

 lack of information

 excessive length

 unlawful practices

 insufficient supervision

 excessive cost

 other

If “other”, please specify:

184.        Has your country prepared or established concrete measures to change the situation concerning the enforcement of court decisions – in particular as regards decisions against public authorities?

             Yes                          No

If yes, please specify:

185.        Is there a system measuring the length of enforcement procedures:

for civil cases?                         Yes                          No

            for administrative cases?         Yes                          No

186.        As regards a decision on debts collection, please estimate the average timeframe to notify the decision to the parties who live in the city where the court sits:

 between 1 and 5 days

 between 6 and 10 days

 between 11 and 30 days

 more

If “more”, please specify:             

187.        Number of disciplinary proceedings initiated against enforcement agents.

If disciplinary proceedings are undertaken because of several mistakes, please count the proceedings only once and for the main mistake.

Total number of initiated disciplinary proceedings (1+2+3+4)       / NA

1. For breach of professional ethics                                               / NA / NAP

2. For professional inadequacy                                                     / NA / NAP

3. For criminal offence                                                                  / NA / NAP

4. Other                                                                                         / NA / NAP

If other, please specify:

188.        Number of sanctions pronounced against enforcement agents.

Total number of sanctions (1+2+3+4+5)                                       / NA

1. Reprimand                                                                                / NA / NAP

2. Suspension                                                                               / NA / NAP

3. Dismissal                                                                                  / NA / NAP

4. Fine                                                                                          / NA / NAP

5. Other                                                                                        / NA / NAP

If “other”, please specify. If a significant difference between the number of disciplinary proceedings and the number of sanctions exists, please indicate the reasons:

***

H.1       You can indicate below:

§  any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter

§  the characteristics of your enforcement system of decisions in civil matters and the

main reforms that have been implemented over the last two years

Please indicate the sources for answering questions 186, 187 and 188:

8.2 Execution of decisions in criminal matters

189.        Which authority is in charge of the enforcement of judgments in criminal matters? (multiple options possible)

                    Judge

        Public prosecutor

        Prison and Probation Services

        Other authority

Please specify his/her functions and duties (initiative or monitoring functions). If “other authority”, please specify:

190.        Are the effective recovery rates of fines decided by a criminal court evaluated by studies?

             Yes                          No

191.        If yes, what is the recovery rate?

 80-100%       50-79%         less than 50%  cannot be estimated

Please indicate the source for answering this question:

***

H.2       You can indicate below:

§  any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter

§  the characteristics of your enforcement system of decisions in criminal matters and the main reforms that have been implemented over the last two years

9. Notaries

192.        Do you have notaries in your country? If no please skip to question 197.

             Yes                          No

193.        Are notaries:

private professionals (without control from public authorities)?

 Yes                        Number      / NA / NAP

private professionals under the authority (control) of public authorities?

 Yes                        Number      / NA / NAP

public agents?          

 Yes                        Number      / NA / NAP

Other?

 Yes                        Number      / NA / NAP

If “other”, please specify:

194.        Do notaries have duties (multiple options possible):

 within the framework of civil procedure?

 in the field of legal advice?

 to certify the authenticity of legal deeds and certificates?

 other?

If “other”, please specify:

195.        Is there an authority entrusted with supervising and monitoring the the notaries’ activity?

             Yes                          No

196.        Which authority is responsible for supervising and monitoring notaries:

 a professional body?

 the judge?

 the Ministry of Justice?

 the public prosecutor?

 other?

If “other”, please specify:

***

I.1        You can indicate below:

§  any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter

§  the characteristics of your system of notaries and the main reforms that have been implemented over the last two years

Please indicate the sources for answering question 193:

10. Court interpreters

197.        Is the title of court interpreters protected?

             Yes                          No

198.        Is the function of court interpreters regulated by legal norms?

             Yes                          No

199.        Number of accredited or registered court interpreters:          

     / NA / NAP

200.        Are there binding provisions regarding the quality of court interpretation within judicial proceedings?

             Yes                          No

If yes, please specify (e.g. having passed a specific exam):

201.        Are the courts responsible for selecting court interpreters?

 Yes                         for recruitment and/or appointment for a specific term of office

for recruitment and/or appointment on an ad hoc basis, according to the specific needs of given proceedings

             No

If no, which authority selects court interpreters?

***

J.1       You can indicate below any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter:

Please indicate the sources for answering question 199:

11. Judicial experts

202.        In your system, what type of experts can be requested to participate in judicial procedures (multiple choice possible):

NA / NAP

  "expert witnesses", who are requested by the parties to bring their expertise to support their argumentation,

  "technical experts" who put their scientific and technical knowledge on issues of fact at the court's disposal,

  "law experts" who might be consulted by the judge on specific legal issues or requested to support the judge in preparing the judicial work (but do not take part in the decision).

203.        Is the title of judicial experts protected?

             Yes                          No

204.        Is the function of judicial experts regulated by legal norms?

             Yes                          No

205.        Number of accredited or registered judicial experts (technical experts)

     / NA / NAP

206.        Are there binding provisions regarding the exercise of the function of judicial expert within judicial proceedings?

             Yes                          No

If yes, please specify, in particular the given time to provide a technical report to the judge:

207.        Are the courts responsible for selecting judicial experts?

        Yes       for recruitment and/or appointment for a specific term of office

 for recruitment and/or appointment on an ad hoc basis, according to the specific needs of given proceedings

                    No

If no, which authority selects judicial experts?

***

K.1       You can indicate below any useful comments for interpreting the data mentioned in this chapter:

Please indicate the sources for answering question 205:

12. Foreseen reforms

208.        Can you provide information on the current debate in your country regarding the functioning of justice? Are there foreseen reforms? Please inform whether these reforms are under preparation or have only been envisaged at this stage. If possible, please observe the following categories:

1. (Comprehensive) reform plans

2. Budget

3. Courts and public prosecution services (e.g. powers and organisation, structural changes - e.g. reduction of the number of courts -, management and working methods, information technologies, backlogs and efficiency, court fees, renovations and construction of new buildings)

4. High Judicial Council

5. Legal professionals (judges, public prosecutors, lawyers, notaries, enforcement agents, etc.): organisation, education, etc.

6. Reforms regarding civil, criminal and administrative laws, international conventions and cooperation activities

7. Enforcement of court decisions

8. Mediation and other ADR

9. Fight against crime and prison system

10. Other