Žižić, Vlahović, Radovanović and Ademović elected as judge members of the Judicial Council

Supreme Court Judge Milenka Seka Žižić, Court of Appeal Judge Mirjana Vlahović, High Court Judge Veljko Radovanović and Basic Court Judge Mirza Ademović were elected as judge members of the Judicial Council at today’s Conference of Judges.

According to a statement from the Supreme Court, this election concludes the process of selecting representatives of the judiciary for this constitutional body, which plays a key role in safeguarding the independence and integrity of the judicial branch.

The President of the Supreme Court of Montenegro, Valentina Pavličić, emphasized that this is one of the most significant moments of internal judicial governance and a direct expression of the constitutional independence of the judiciary.

- At a time when institutions are expected to demonstrate an ever-higher degree of accountability, transparency, and professionalism, the judiciary’s ability to independently and impartially decide on matters concerning its own functioning represents one of its most important characteristics - Pavličić stressed.

She recalled that public trust in the courts is built not only through judicial decisions but also through the way the judiciary selects those entrusted with protecting the integrity of the judicial profession, improving court performance standards, and safeguarding the institutional independence of the judiciary.

Pavličić assessed that today’s election was not a contest between individuals, but rather a choice of the values that should underpin the work of the Judicial Council during the next four-year term - expertise, integrity, accountability, professional courage, and dedication to the interests of the judiciary as a whole.

- The Judicial Council, as the constitutional guarantor of judicial independence, plays a decisive role in preserving the professional integrity of the judiciary, strengthening public confidence, and responding to the challenges faced by the justice system - Pavličić stated.

As highlighted, the Conference of Judges once again demonstrated the institutional maturity, responsibility, and capacity of Montenegro’s judiciary to independently make decisions of fundamental importance for its work and development, taking into account not only current needs but also the long-term interests of the judicial branch in Montenegro.

- By holding today’s election almost a month and a half before the expiration of the current Judicial Council’s mandate, we are reaffirming one of the fundamental constitutional values: that an independent judiciary does not receive its independence from others, but builds, preserves, and justifies it through its own professional integrity before the citizens - Pavličić said.

The Conference of Judges for the election of Judicial Council members from among judges was convened by the President of the Supreme Court of Montenegro pursuant to Article 10 of the Law on the Judicial Council and Judges.

The regular term of office of the current composition of the Judicial Council expires on 11 July this year.