Support for Court Transparency and Access to Justice in Serbia

On October 26, 2020, the USAID Rule of Law Project, in cooperation with the Belgrade Higher Court, organized a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Information Point installed in the court’s lobby so that citizens can easily obtain all information necessary for their interactions with the court, and have access to educational and informative materials. 

“Upholding the transparency of judicial institutions in a free and fair democratic society requires direct, two-way communication with citizens and the media,” said Mike de la Rossa, USAID Serbia Mission Director. “We are particularly pleased that the idea for installing an Information Point in the court’s lobby came directly from the court. This represents one more important step in their overall efforts to be proactive in building transparency and improving access to justice for citizens”.

The Information Point is the main orientation point for citizens and court parties seeking general information on court operations, working hours, and in navigating through the elaborate court building. The project also partnered with the Court to make a video that clearly explains the court’s structure, it complex and broad jurisdiction, its organization, units, locations, and services available to its users.

Efforts such as these, which orient the focus of courts towards citizens and their needs when navigating the judicial system, also significantly contribute to the implementation of the current Communication Strategy for the High Court Council and the Courts that the USAID Rule of Law Project provided substantial technical assistance to create in 2018.