09/12/2021
For more than two years, Spanish and Turkish judicial institutions have worked on a training project for Turkish judges and prosecutors
For more than two years, Spanish and Turkish judicial institutions have worked on a training project for Turkish judges and prosecutors
For two and a half years, Turkey and Spain have worked closely to improve the quality of the initial training for future Turkish judges and prosecutors. This twinning project, managed by the FIIAPP with European funding, has been a joint effort between the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) and the Ministry of Justice of Turkey.
The origin of this Twinning project lies in the Turkish authorities’ resolve to raise the level of judicial training, and to do so in accordance with the standards and good practices applied in European countries. Spanish experts have therefore worked on designing a new system for initial training of judges and prosecutors. This system, based on a close relationship between the candidate and an experienced magistrate, provides the knowledge and instrumental skills covered by theoretical training. The material resources necessary for good judicial practices have also been identified.
The new system guarantees quality training, for which an extensive group of judges and prosecutors have been trained: 50 who will act as coordinators in each court or prosecutor’s office and 316 who will act as mentors to the candidates from the current promotion of judges and prosecutors. Furthermore, 100 judicial inspectors have received training in the new Manual of Supervised Practice.
This system has been applied experimentally in 10 pilot courts, as foreseen in the agreement with the EU. In view of its favourable reception, the Ministry of Justice has decided to progressively expand the system, and currently 48 magistrates’ courts, courts of appeal and administrative courts are applying the design prepared by the Spanish experts, which means the vast majority of future judges and prosecutors are already benefiting from the Twinning.
In addition, the project has delivered training seminars to more than 2,000 candidates in 10 modules on very practical subjects, such as new technologies, DNA testing, electronic evidence, international civil and criminal cooperation, protection for victims of crime and cybercrime.
The extension of this project’s activities is one more example of the high level of cooperation between the two countries in the field of judicial reforms, with the aim of achieving a more efficient, more independent and better prepared judiciary to serve citizens.
