Meeting the requirements for implementation of the Case Weighting Methodology

The Project was tasked with getting an insight into the implementation of the formula, i.e. Case Weighting Methodology formula (CWM) in 20 pilot courts in which it was tested in 2017, and recommend its modifications in order to apply it further in other basic and higher courts. Therefore, the Project initiated the establishment of the Working Group for developing the programme for case weighting, set up by the Council.

The president of the Supreme Court of Cassation approved the development of the CWM, produced by the EU-funded ''Judicial Efficiency“ Project expertsIn the pilot phase of its implementation, the CWM was applied in 16 basic courts and 4 higher courts (pilot courts). The Methodology, first of all, enables case allocation by the level of difficulty/complexity into complex and standard, as well as an even allocation of these case categories to judges. It was applied to criminal, civil and labor law disputes.

The Project experts have got an insight into the Methodology's application in selected courts, discucssed it with the implemeting staff, viewed the AVP data on cases and, after a thorough analysis, drafted a report on the Methodology's application in the pilot courts, together with Recommendations. The report is in the phase of discussion preceding the adoption. The Project's Recommendations are twofold: they refer to minor improvements of the software itself on the one hand and a more consistent application of the software in courts, on the other.

Upon the report's adoption, the application of the CW Methodology is expected to commence in all basic and higher courts, according to the implementation plan developed by the Project.