Bucharest, February 19, 2010 -- Statement by HE Mr. Francois Rantrua, Country Manager, World Bank Office, Romania, during the meeting with HE Mr Cătălin Predoiu, Romanian Minister of Justice:
“I would like to affirm that the World Bank is supporting the Romania Judicial Reform Project, both as a joint project with the Ministry of Justice and the Superior Council of Magistrates and as a general process directed towards reforming the judicial system as a whole in Romania. A well-functioning legal and judicial system is a critical component of the overall institutional framework which is required to achieve sustainable economic growth and social development. In order to support the Government’s commitment for judicial reform, the Bank will provide assistance in several areas which include analysis, technical assistance, and financing for public investments and policy reform.
We will continue to encourage the dialogue of the Ministry with its partners, which include the Superior Council of Magistrates (CSM), the EU institutions, and all professional categories involved in the judicial system, in order to facilitate the successful implementation of the project.
While we have acknowledged the delays in the project’s implementation, we are also aware that some of these delays were outcomes of cumbersome procedures and internal approval processes, regulated by the country’s domestic rules and regulations. Accordingly, we have just met again with Minister Predoiu and his staff to discuss the project moving forward and to find ways to do so without any further delays. A redefinition of the project’s objectives may be required in light of Romania’s EU member status.
I will conclude my brief statement by acknowledging that the Ministry possesses the management capacity to work with us closely and efficiently to bring this project to a successful completion.”
Background information
The Romania Judicial Reform Project is part of Romania’s World Bank financed portfolio of 13 active projects.
The Judicial Reform (worth approximately EURO 110 million) aims to support the Romanian Government increase the efficiency of the Romanian courts, and improve the accountability of the judiciary, resulting in a reducing of corruption and a more transparent act of justice.
Support under the project is granted for (i) upgrading of selected court infrastructure and automation; (ii) court administration reform; (iii) court information support - specifically design and roll-out of a Resource Management System for the entire judicial system and (iv) institutional building for the main judicial governing bodies (e.g., Superior Council of Magistracy, National Institute of Magistrates, National School of Clerks and High Court of Cassation and Justice) and the MOJ.
- Court Infrastructure Rehabilitation - physical remedy of 20 priority Courts buildings;
- Strengthening the Administrative Capacity of Courts – a program to reduce case delays, create a framework for economic management of Courts, and optimize the Courts operational process, aimed at restoring confidence in the judiciary;
- Court Information Support – specifically design and roll-out of a Resource Management System for the entire judicial system;
- Institutional Development of Judicial Institutions (Superior Council of Magistrates in the area of long term judicial policies and monitoring of judicial performance; Ministry of Justice in the area of capital investment planning, judicial statistics, HR management, budget planning, communication; National Institute of Magistrates for development of new qualification tests for judges’ selection and promotion and training courses and curricula; National School of Clerks in the area of strategic planning and training; High Court of Cassation and Justice in the area of budget planning and IT upgrade).
