The project Enhancing Court Business Practices is the logical continuation of the Model Courts and Courts in Partnership Program which started in 2000. The efforts now are aimed at ensuring sustainability of the achievement and their dissemination throughout the country because the courts have proven that they have built the capacity for innovation, monitoring the changes and distribution of the good practices.
The work is based on the second Court Improvement Plan (CIP 2) elaborated under a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development and the German Marshall Fund. The main areas of work as identified by magistrates and court staff are:
- Policies and planning;
- Judicial management;
- Case management and control system;
- Access to justice;
- Boosting trust and confidence in the court.
Project objectives
- To improve the performance of the courts through supporting and guiding them in applying the concepts and practices set in the CIP 2.
- To equip the courts with a management tool for self-assessment of the courts’ performance and to steer the sharing of good business practices.
- To increase the public trust through promoting court achievements and presenting the national impact of local reforms.
- To sustain the achievements of the Model Courts and Courts in Partnership.
Project activities
1. Piloting CIP 2
At least ten Model Courts will pilot the CIP 2.
Training will be organized on topics related to budgeting, case delay reduction techniques and work with vulnerable groups.
Internal procedures for analysis and assessment of court organization and optimization of work procedures, policies for prevention of corruption and rules for working with court jurors will be elaborated with the assistance of working groups.
At least three new information centers will be set up and their staff will be trained accordingly.
2. Performance assessment and dissemination of best practices
The implementation of the CIP 2 will be evaluated by at least ten magistrates and court staff every six months. They will collect and analyze all innovations and the best practices established will be included in the CIP 2 as an appendix to it. The CIP 2 will be disseminated to all courts in Bulgaria.
3. New Courts in Partnership
At least six new courts will join the program in the second year of the project. They will work in close collaboration with the existing Model Courts and every new participant will have a mentor court. When the court reached the required level of CIP 2 implementation, it will be awarded the status of a Model Court.
4. Chairpersons' meetings
Four traditional chairpersons' meetings will be held with the participation of all institutions taking part in the reform process. Issues related to the management of the courts, the necessary legislative amendments, the cooperation with the government institutions and the citizens, etc. will be discussed at the meetings.
5. Assessment of project achievements
Sociological surveys will be conducted to show the citizens' satisfaction with the work of the court. They will contribute to the identification of those areas of the work of the court which need improvement.
Information about the funding organization
The America for Bulgaria Foundation assists in the development and growth of a vibrant private sector for the benefit of a free and democratic Bulgaria. Founded in 2008, the Foundation is the successor of the Bulgarian-American Enterprise Fund created by the United States Government, acting through the United States Agency for International Development. The grants provided by the America for Bulgaria Foundation continue the relations of good will and friendship between the people of the USA and Bulgaria.
