In order to simplify administrative procedures and eliminate bureaucracy, bar exam has been digitized. During the launch, Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that easy and fast service access is an obligation of every government, as he added that this ensures efficiency in handling the needs of citizens. He added that from 2021 until now, over 3,200 candidates have applied for the bar exam.

The Prime Minister stated that within the government program for digital transformation, they are working on reducing the administrative barrier.

“From 2021 until today, 3209 candidates have applied for the bar exam. Of them, 747, or almost every fourth, have successfully completed it. So, 747 young professionals who now also have the bar exam. We will continue the diligent work towards completing the infrastructure of practicing free professions, starting from supervision and inspection. Infrastructure and ensuring working conditions is our duty. But it is also our obligation to make sure that state agents work in accordance with the law and for the citizen. Easy and fast access to the service is the obligation of every government, which cares for its citizens. Having easier and faster access, citizens are assured of efficiency in handling their needs”, said Kurti.

The Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, said that the digitization of the bar exam is an important step and an opportunity to improve access. She indicated that within this mandate, six bar exams have been organized.

“This is an important step and additional opportunity to further improve the way we manage and regulate these professions. As Minister of Justice, I feel responsible for ensuring that our legal and administrative system is in line with contemporary requirements. The reforms in the system of free professions during this mandate have been numerous, while digitalization is one of them. We have advanced the legal framework from the field of free professions and with the aim of facilitating citizens’ access to services, in accordance with our commitments to the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo; we have also implemented fee reduction policies. Thus, the payment of the candidates for the presentation of the bar exam has been reduced by 50 percent”, said Haxhiu.

She indicated that within this mandate, six bar exams have been organized.

“The digitization of the system of free professions aims to simplify administrative procedures, eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and enable responsible persons to carry out their activities in a faster and more efficient manner. This project is a clear example of our commitment to strengthen the justice system and improve access to legal services that are essential for the functioning of the rule of law”, said Haxhiu.

The president of the Kosovo Judicial Council, Albert Zogaj, said that the launch of this module raises the level of integrity for the bar exam.

“Also the reform in justice for the creation of free professions that used to be a judicial service has exactly this goal for the citizen to receive a service that is easier, more efficient, cheaper, and less bureaucracy so that actually receiving a service does not have a burden. All of us have the duty to reach the level of integrity of the bar exam, both in a professional and human sense, because it is the most important gate for every lawyer”, he said.

Also, Johannes Madsen, who is the EU Head of Cooperation in Kosovo, said that the launch of digitization is a great achievement.

“This module represents a step forward and transformative to help legal professionals to integrate into the legal framework and this will help and improve the system and offer officials a new experience. The benefits are manifold and this journey will be for the most efficient operation for those who work and supervise the system. We are creating a more transparent system that will bring improvements for all parties involved”, he said.