Further consensus reached on administrative courts

TIRANA, April 3 – Both the ruling Democrats and the opposition Socialists reached further consensus on the administrative courts bill which is being discussed at the parliamentary legal affairs committee. MPs of this committee agreed that conflicts over administrative contracts which include concessions, public procurements will be tried by administrative courts. It was agreed that routine cases, such as complaints over traffic fines or administrative measures against civil servants complaints will be tried by a single judge. However, important cases related to concession contracts or procurements will be tried by 3 judges.
MPs also agreed on the establishment of an Administrative College at the Supreme Court which will remain the final court of appeal for administrative cases.
However, issues such as the number of administrative courts and the cities where they will be established remain to be settled.
The administrative courts bill, targeting the establishing of a modern courts system with the capability to adjudicate administrative cases fairly and efficiently, is back on Parliament’s agenda this time with both the majority and the opposition determined to pass this law which required a qualified majority of 84 votes. The bill was approved in principle early last March by both the ruling Democrats and the opposition Socialists after almost four years of being blocked due to a prolonged political stalemate after the 2009 general elections and consensus on bills requiring qualified majority of votes reached only in late 2011.