Albania started implementing the second phase of the new judicial map, which foresees a reduction in courts and prosecutors’ offices.

In February of this year, 6 Appeal courts merged into one, located in Tirana, inheriting over 29 thousand cases for review. Starting from May, there will be less courts of first instance, more specifically there will only be 13 out of 22 that used to be. Case files from cities such as Tropoja, Mati, Kurbini, Kruja, Puka, Lushnja, Kavaja, Përmeti and Pogradeci will be transferred to other courts.

Both the High Judicial Council and the High Prosecution Council have made the transition of government and prosecutors to the organizational structures.

A third phase will start implementing in July and it foresees the reduction of administrative courts; from 6 existing, there will only remain 2, one in Tirana and another in Lushnja.

The High Judicial Council, that prepared the new judicial map, said this reorganization will be more efficient and offer a better service to the citizens. However, it encountered numerous objections, especially from the lawyers, who claimed that this reorganization would harm citizens’ access and increase their costs.