UNMIK/PR/1282
PRISTINA – The Director of the Department of Justice, Mr. Thomas Monaghan, and the President of the Municipal Court of Pristina, Mr. Nuhi Uka, today officially opened the Department of the Municipal Court of Prishtinë/Priština in Graçanicë/Gračanica.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Mr. Monaghan said that “the Department of the Municipal Court of Prishtinë/Priština in Graçanicë/Gracanica has been established in response to the difficulties that vulnerable ethnic groups have faced in accessing the justice system since 1999. It will provide greater access to justice for the people of Graçanicë/Gracanica and surrounding communities.”
The department will operate in the village centre of Graçanicë/Gracanica to facilitate greater access to the Prishtinë/Priština Municipal Court. Two judges from the Municipal Court of Prishtinë/Priština will work there. The department will deal with matters within the competency and jurisdiction of the Prishtinë/Priština Municipal Court including criminal offences for which a fine or imprisonment up to five years is prescribed as the main punishment; disputes regarding property issues, labour relations, life support, matrimony and fatherhood; last will and testament; issuing documents from the permanent archive of the court regarding property; certification of contracts; verification of copies of transcripts, manuscripts and signatures; assistance in judicial matters and other issues.
To facilitate access to justice for vulnerable communities, the Judicial Integration Section of the Department of Justice has been operating Court Liaison Offices in Graçanicë/Gracanica, Novobërdë/Novo Brdo, Gorazhdevc/Gorazdevac, Vrbovc/Verbovac and Hoça i Madhe/Velika Hoca. The Court Liaison Offices provide services such as transport for parties to attend court proceedings; help with lodging civil and criminal claims; assistance with finding old claims from court archives; legal information on issues affecting refugees and internally displaced persons; facilitation of contract certification; referral and liaison with non-governmental organisations; and general support during the legal process.
Among those present during the opening of the Department of the Municipal Court of Prishtinë/Priština in Graçanicë/Gračanica this morning, were the Director of the Department of Judicial Affairs Mr. Hysni Hoxha, President of the District Court of Prishtinë/Priština Mr. Anton Nokaj, District Public Prosecutor of Prishtinë/Priština Mr. Osman Kryeziu, President of the Commercial Court Mr. Adem Ajvazi, as well as judges, prosecutors and representatives from different communities.