N6.T5 – Lawyers Protest Over Staffing Crisis at the Basic Court in Bar
HRA NEWSLETTER 6 – TOPIC 5
Lawyers from Bar have expressed their concerns regarding the staffing situation at the Basic Court, where only four judges are currently managing over three thousand cases, instead of the eleven judges recommended by the systematization plan. This staffing shortage is hindering normal court operations and preventing clients from exercising their rights, as highlighted during a protest organized in front of the court on March 7.
“We all acknowledge that this situation cannot persist without serious consequences. If this trend continues, I fear that citizens may be forced to seek justice in the streets—which is completely unacceptable and must be avoided,” stated lawyer Nikola Knežević. The protesting lawyers aimed to draw attention to the alarming state of the Montenegrin judicial system.
“Being a judge is an honorable profession that requires not only knowledge but also the right character. Our current situation shows that, for years, there has been no focus on who can earn the privilege of becoming a judge, how they are selected, or when this process occurs. The results are evident—almost every ongoing case exemplifies a violation of the right to a timely trial. In fact, exceptions have become the rule,” assessed Knežević.
The gathered lawyers called on all relevant institutions, particularly the Judicial Council, to address this pressing issue.
HRA reported on the serious staffing shortages at the Basic Court in Bar in the December issue of Bulletin No. 3. Furthermore, the final criteria for Chapter 23, which are crucial for Montenegro’s EU membership, clearly emphasize the need for the judiciary to be adequately staffed and to provide proper working conditions. Only in this manner can the efficiency, integrity, and impartiality of the judicial system be assured, which is fundamental to upholding the rule of law.
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