ASSESSMENT OF THE BUILDINGS OF THE MISDEMEANOR COURTS IN THE TERRITORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA | Milica Pasic

The assessment presents the physical conditions of buildings and related infrastructure, identifying problems which require urgent actions. The adequacy of the existing spatial organization is also analyzed for each court and options for improvement or upgrades are presented which will achieve optimal functional standards for the work of the MCs. A tentative estimate of costs that such interventions would entail is given for each court in order to provide the Ministry with a clear overall picture of courts’ needs.

This assessment encompasses 47 buildings where the MCs are located, specifically: the Belgrade seat of the HMC and its three court units in Kragujevac, Niš and Novi Sad and 43 buildings where the first-instance MCs are located. Every court building is classified in one of the four categories described below, depending upon its physical conditions and functional capacities.

This assessment was carried out with the following objectives:

·         Presenting an objective comparative analysis of the current situation with buildings used by the MCs in terms of their physical and functional conditions, as well as their property-legal status.

·         Taking into account identified advantages and shortcomings of these spaces, propose options for upgrades or renovations of the court facilities, or ultimately their relocation if current conditions do not meet any of the courts’ needs.

·         Providing the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration with an objective basis for further planning in order to be able to render informed decisions on allocating funds for necessary court facility upgrades.