NO MONEY FOR THE RULE OF LAW. How Kosovo’s budget process affects judicial independence
NO MONEY FOR THE RULE OF LAW. How Kosovo’s budget process affects judicial independence

Author(s): Berat Thaqi
Subject(s): Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, Fiscal Politics / Budgeting
Published by: CEPS Centre for European Policy Studies
Keywords: public budget;judicial system in Kosovo;
Summary/Abstract: This paper analyses the budgeting process for the judicial institutions in Kosovo in order to identify whether the government can interfere with judicial autonomy through budgetary resources. Further, the budgeting process for these institutions is analysed in light of some of the Council of Europe’s recommendations. The paper concludes that the actual budgeting process can jeopardise the independence and effectiveness of judicial institutions. Some of the problems identified in the process of budgetary appropriations include a lack of time and professional resources for Kosovo’s parliament to scrutinise budgetary requests, as well as a lack of timely data and benchmarks for budgetary appropriations. The paper highlights the need for transparency, the development of benchmarks and the involvement of judicial institutions during the budget process. It concludes by offering a number of specific recommendations for Kosovo on how to improve the budget process for the judiciary.

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