The Ministry of Justice hosted a meeting of its representatives and epidemiologists from the Public Health Institute of Serbia Dr Milan Jovanović Batut with representatives of the Supreme Court of Cassation, four appellate courts, the Misdemeanour Court, the Commercial Appellate Court, the Republic Public Prosecutor’s Office, four appellate public prosecutor’s offices, the State Attorney’s Office and the Administrative Court. The meeting was also attended by the Notaries’ and Bailiffs’ Chambers Presidents, the Judicial Academy Director, and the Presidents of Bar Associations of Serbia and Belgrade.
Taking into account the state of emergency introduced in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, it was pointed out at the meeting that, in accordance with the recommendations made by the Serbian Government, courts and prosecutor’s offices should reorganise their work, especially in light of the fact that court buildings are places visited by a large number of people, which could contribute to the spread of the infection. It was agreed that courts and prosecutor’s offices should continue their work but minimise their business operations by performing only most urgent tasks which are of paramount importance for citizens and the state.
The Ministry of Justice was tasked with prompt issuing of recommendations on the work of courts and prosecutor’s offices during the state of emergency, in collaboration with the representatives of judicial authorities and in consultation with legal practitioners and judicial professionals. The recommendations are to build on those made by the Serbian Government. Once produced, they will be sent to judicial authorities to use them as the basis for developing specific work plans for holders of judicial offices and other employees.