Minister Rita Judice believes that the anti-corruption agenda should stimulate justice reform

The Minister of Justice said this Thursday that she hopes that the Anti-Corruption Program, which will be discussed by the Council of Ministers, “will stimulate the much-desired justice reform” in Portugal.

Rita Alarcão Judice spoke in a previously recorded video at the opening of the presentation of the “Report on the Modernization of Justice – OCDE”, which took place at the headquarters of the Judicial Police (PJ) in the presence of the Director General of this police force, Luis Neves, and the Minister of Justice, Maria José Barros.

In her speech, the minister highlighted the OECD’s “vast experience” in addressing justice issues, providing important input to member countries and emphasizing the need for measures to ensure that citizens, especially the most vulnerable, have equal access to justice.

Among other things, Rita Alarcan Judice recognized the need to review the system of court fees in order to improve citizens’ access to justice.

Rita Alarcao Judice mentioned that the OECD argues that political decision makers should pursue policies that “place the citizen at the center of their concerns and actions” and took the opportunity to say that this is also the problem of the current government.

According to the minister, the OECD report indicates the need to create new justice services and strengthen existing ones. He indicated that one of the areas where this investment should be focused is in alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

In this regard, the minister expressed her intention to use the services of the Arbitration Center for Consumer Disputes.

Rita Alarcão Judice also said that “justice must not only be clear, but also speak clearly,” in other words, “simplify the complex.” He also advocated transparent and objective rules.

The minister also mentioned that one of the recommendations contained in the OECD report is aimed at “strengthening justice technologies,” adding that these tools and the dematerialization of processes are fundamental to “enhancing greater procedural speed.”

Rita Alarcão Judice, however, recalled that “digitization alone does not work miracles” and acknowledged that the justice system “still faces serious challenges” and “the government is aware of this reality.”

Luis Neves also spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of the OECD report from a “JV perspective” to “reflect on better solutions within the judiciary.”

Luis Neves highlighted the modernization of the JV’s “working tools”, namely the digital forensics laboratory, which will soon open, which will improve criminal investigation in several areas.

However, he warned that modernizing policing requires “significant investment, strategic planning and a comprehensive approach” that involves all levels of the police organization.

He also defended the need to “unite the efforts of every entity, every country, every international organization and the entire European space.”

Also speaking at the ceremony were Florian Hauser, Deputy Head of Governance and Public Administration at the European Commission, and Tatiana Teplova, Senior Adviser for Justice at the European Economic Cooperation Organization.