Invitation to join the Model Courts and Courts in Partnership Program

Invitation to join the Model Courts and Courts in Partnership Program

  1. The Program for the Development of the Judicial System (PDJS) is implementing the project Strengthening the Court System in Bulgaria through Implementation of the Court Improvement Plan funded by the United States Agency for International Development and the German Marshall Fund.

  2. The project Strengthening the Court System in Bulgaria through Implementation of the Court Improvement Plan aims at continuing the development of the Model Courts and Courts in Partnership Program through the inclusion of new courts which have not worked under the Program so far.

  3. The Model Courts and Courts in Partnership Program was created more than 8 years ago by the Judicial Strengthening Initiative ofthe United States Agency for International Development and is aimed at supporting the work of the courts and improving their effectiveness and transparency through the implementation of the Court Improvement Plan.

  4. The Court Improvement Plan contains specific steps which can be taken by all courts in the country with a view to improving the effectiveness, management and transparency of the court. It has been developed by a team of judges and court clerks and, in 2006, it was approved by the Supreme Judicial Council for implementation nation-wide. You can see and download the Plan from the PDJS website: www.prss-bg.org

  5. The Model Courts and Courts in Partnership are 35 appellate, district, regional and administrative courts which have achieved significant successes in the implementation of the Court Improvement Plan. They can act as a benchmark of successful organization of the judicial activities, improvement of the qualification of judges and courts clerks, use of information technologies and effective work with the public. The list of the above courts is appended to the invitation.

  6. The judges and court clerks in the Model Courts and Courts in Partnership are ready to support their colleagues who so far have not had the opportunity to join the Program and assist them with the implementation of the Plan.

IN THIS REGARD, THE PDJS IS INVITING THE COURTS WHICH HAVE NOT PARTICIPATED IN THE MODEL COURTS AND COURTS IN PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM SO FAR TO EXPRESS THEIR INTEREST IN TAKING PART IN IT.

Application procedure and selection of courts to join the Program

  1. The procedure is open to all appellate, district, regional and administrative courts in Bulgaria.

  2. It is expected that before sending their application documents, the applying courts have established contacts with a Model Court or Court in Partnership they have chosen (see the list appended to the invitation), have clarified the framework of their cooperation and have prepared a brief joint overview of their partnership in the implementation of the Court Improvement Plan. The existing Model Courts and Courts in Partnership are ready to assist you.

  3. The courts must submit the following documents:

    • Letter to express interest in the inclusion of the Program - no obligatory form is required but it must contain information about the reasons for inclusion in the Program and a brief presentation of the court (no more than 1 page);
    • Letter of support from a Model Court or Court in Partnership with which the applying court wishes to partner (see the appended list of Model Courts and Courts in Partnership);

    • Joint model of partnership between the applying court and the Model Court or Court in Partnership (no more than 3 pages) which described:

      • In what way the applying court will implement the Court Improvement Plan;
      • In what way the Model Court or Court in Partnership will assist with the implementation of the Plan;
      • Brief description of the specific activities which will be realized in the framework of the partnership.

  4. The model must cover one year as of 1 April 2009 and ensure sustainable implementation of the Plam.

  5. The DEADLINE for submission of documents is 12 MARCH 2009.

  6. The courts which want to join the Program must send the necessary documents to the following emails: velislava.delcheva@prss-bg.org, or presiana.manolova@prss-bg.org, or fax number(02) 856 98 97

  7. A five-member committee consisting of representatives of the SJC and PDJS and chaipersons of Model Courts will select the courts which will join the Program. The selection will be based on the following main criteria:

    • Readiness of the applying court and Model Court or Court in Partnership to implement reforms;
    • Realistic and effective model of implementation of the Court Improvement Plan;
    • Well established partnership with the Model Court or Court in Partnership;
    • Geographical location of the court.

  8. The new court will be selected by 23 March 2009.

  9. The selected court will receive technical and financial support from the PDJS potentially including funds for the setting up of an information center in the court house.

You may refer your questions about the selection and evaluation procedure to:

To get additional information about the activities of the PDJS you can visit our website at: www.prss-bg.org. The information about the application process will be posted in the SJC website too: www.vss.justice.bg

Kind regards,

Velislava Delcheva

Chairperson of the PDJS Management Board

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