High Council of Justice

As Albania starts an important process of vetting judges and prosecutors and sets up new justice institutions, the US ambassador to Tirana, Donal Lu, and the General Prosecutor, Adriatik Llalla, have exchanged heated accusations about judicial reform.

Albania is preparing to change its constitution in December as part of an ambitious effort to reform the judicial system, widely considered as the most corrupt field in the country.

However, the main parties still have not agreed a common draft, jeopardizing the chances of success in passing the amendments in parliament.

A report by the High Council of Justice, HCJ, on Monday said most of the draws held in Albanian courts to allocate cases to various judges are in effect decided by the head of the court.  

A Special Parliamentary Commission on Monday delivered a damning report on the courts in Albania, saying corruption is widespread at all levels.

This includes the appointment of judges in the most important courts.

In an open letter to the President, parliament and the High Council of Justice the Union of Judges said international standards on the judicial system do not permit denigration of judges in public.