Today, the European Commission published the 2025 Rule of Law Report, which systematically and objectively analyses developments in the rule of law in all Member States
It is an instrument that has proven to be useful for strengthening the understanding of the rule of law and a successful framework for an informal, open and constructive dialogue on the rule of law.
"In the new report for the Republic of Croatia, the European Commission recognised our structural efforts and numerous legislative changes", stressed Minister Habijan, highlighting in particular the introduction of objective criteria for determining the salaries of judicial officials, as well as the ongoing work to maintain and improve the integrity of judges and state attorneys.
The report commended a number of ongoing legislative amendments, including the removal of periodic security checks on state attorneys and their deputies, as well as the announced legislative amendments to align the system of legal positions taken by registration judges with the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in the Hann-Invest case.
"The Commission has also recognised progress in the digitalisation of justice, in particular in the area of electronic communication between courts and citizens. The decrease of the total backlog was also highlighted, as well as the continued implementation of anti-corruption action plans and activities to raise awareness of the harmfulness of corruption and the implementation of the Lobbying Act", added the Minister.
In the part of the recommendations related to the judiciary, Croatia received only two recommendations. Both recommendations are already in the implementation phase.
The first recommendation concerns the continued decrease of the backlog of court cases. In this context, the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation continues to cooperate intensively with all courts in Croatia to consider the implementation of action plans.
Results so far are very good - by mid-2025, the backlog decreased by 6% compared to the end of 2024, while the average duration of litigation cases decreased from 469 days at the end of 2024 to 415 days.
The second recommendation concerns reducing the burden on USKOK and increasing the efficiency of criminal proceedings. In this regard, the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation is already working on amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act and the USKOK Act, and the draft laws will soon be submitted for public consultation.
"We are confident that the European Commission will recognise in its next report the continuation and intensity of our reform efforts", Minister Habijan concluded.
Photo:
European Commission (© Copyright Adobe Stock - Paul)
News
