Judges bear a huge burden of responsibility every day, and their independence and integrity must be protected through appropriate material security, said Supreme Court President Valentina Pavličić.
"Therefore, increasing salaries is not a privilege, but a necessity that guarantees the independence and resilience of judges to all forms of pressure," she said.
As the Supreme Court announced, after the Higher Court in Podgorica "scheduled a record number of hearings in one day, to which should be added a large number of scheduled panel sessions in the Appellate and Supreme Courts", Pavličić said that such results confirm "the strong commitment of the judicial authorities to more efficient work", but also warned that without adequate evaluation of the work of judges, there can be no sustainable rule of law.
"The Higher Court in Podgorica has scheduled 38 hearings in criminal cases today, including those in the field of organized crime and corruption, which represents a record number of hearings in one day. Bearing in mind that an extremely intensive trial schedule is planned for the coming days, both in that and other courts, it is clear that the judges are making maximum efforts to ensure the right of citizens to a trial within a reasonable time," the statement reads.
The Supreme Court says that all available space in the building housing the High and Appellate Courts was used to the maximum.
"As a form of institutional support to lower-instance courts, the Supreme Court of Montenegro, despite its own limitations, has made its courtroom, equipped with audio-visual equipment, available, thus ensuring the technical conditions for the smooth conduct of main hearings that require this type of assistance."
These results, they said, come at a time when the announced 30 percent increase in judges' salaries has still not been implemented. They recall that a month ago, the Government, under urgent procedure, submitted to the Parliament the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on the Judicial Council and Judges, which provides for a salary increase, but that to date this act has not been adopted.
Pavličić, who, as announced, has already taken concrete measures to improve the efficiency of the work of the Higher Court in Podgorica, one of the most burdened courts in the country, emphasizes that a strong, independent and professional judiciary is the foundation of the rule of law and the basic prerequisite for the realization of justice and the protection of citizens' rights.
"Judges bear a huge burden of responsibility every day, and their independence and integrity must be protected through appropriate material security. Therefore, increasing salaries is not a privilege, but a necessity that guarantees the independence and resilience of judges to all forms of pressure. Courts in Montenegro will continue to work towards increasing efficiency, but for long-term results, the support of the other two branches of government is also necessary, if we truly want to close negotiation chapters 23 and 24, and thus achieve the ultimate state goal - Montenegro, an equal member of the European Union," believes Pavličić.
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