At the invitation of the Government, the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, will conduct an official country visit to Montenegro from 19 to 26 September 2023.

The Rapporteur would like to cordially invite civil society organisations, including associations of judges, prosecutors and lawyers, human rights and legal empowerment organisations, academics and other organisations to send their contributions, among other issues, on:

Judges and prosecutors

• Existing legal and policy framework for the protection of the independence and impartiality of judges and prosecutors
• Progress made in bringing national legislation and policies in line with the aquis communautaire and the recommendations of the Venice Commission and the Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO)
• Composition and functioning of the Judicial Council and the Prosecutorial Council
• Selection and appointment of judges and prosecutors
• Professional training
• Conditions of service and irremovability
• Freedom of expression and association of judges and prosecutors
• Disciplinary measures, suspension and removal from office
• Representation of women and others facing discrimination in the judiciary and the prosecution service

Lawyers

• Existing legal and policy framework for the protection of the free and independent exercise of the legal profession
• Composition and functioning of the Bar Association of Montenegro
• Access to the legal profession and admission to the Bar
• Guarantees for the free and independent exercise of the legal profession and the role of the Bar Association
• Disciplinary measures, suspension, and removal from office
• Representation of women and others facing discrimination in the legal profession
• Access to justice, legal aid, and legal services, including the possibility for community justice workers to provide legal services