On July 9-11, 2024, the international consultant of the Council of Europe, Francesco Perrone was on an evaluation mission in Chisinau to conduct an exhaustive analysis of the concept, the program and the methodology for initial training of candidates to the positions of judge and prosecutor of the National Institute of Justice. The action aimed at optimizing judicial training and strengthening the training capacities of the NIJ, in line with the TAIEX 2022 recommendations.
During three days, there were a series of meetings that included extensive discussions with the team of the National Institute of Justice, with trainers in charge of initial training and internship tutors to explore the methodologies and challenges of training future judges and prosecutors.
An important aspect of the visit was the interaction with the NIJ graduates who are already appointed to positions and who provided information about the applicability of the knowledge acquired during their studies. For a complete evaluation and a direct understanding of the aspects related to the trainings, meetings were held with the NIJ trainees, as well as participation in the training sessions, as well as, including mock trial. Also, the CoE consultant visited the Superior Council of Magistracy and the Superior Council of Prosecutors to exchange opinions about the training process offered by the National Institute of Justice.
On the last day of the mission, Francesco Perrone and Natia Japaridze, CoE project manager, had a dialogue with the ad Interim Director of the National Institute of Justice, Adrian Cerbu, and the representatives of the NIJ. At the meeting were addressed topics on the recommendation of the TAIEX Report that the National Institute of Justice needs to become the only way to accede in the profession of judge and prosecutor, as well, the option of full-time secondment of judges and prosecutors to NIJ – a practice seen in European magistracy schools, ensuring equity in the appointment process of NIJ graduates, and interinstitutional collaboration with the Superior Council of Magistracy and the Superior Council of Prosecutors, etc.
The evaluation mission was carried out within the framework of the joint Project of the European Union and the Council of Europe „Support to the justice reform in the Republic of Moldova”.
