23 - 29 September 2026 | Weekly Regional Briefing

This week’s regional picture is marked by procedural reform and implementation rather than a single dominant legislative development. Kosovo is moving from judgment to reparations, Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to see constitutional litigation over state property, Albania is preparing a substantial criminal-procedure review, while Montenegro and Serbia are concentrating on institutional implementation and judicial efficiency.

For international practitioners, the common thread is the continuing convergence of Western Balkan justice systems with European procedural and rule-of-law standards, while national constitutional and administrative questions remain highly significant.

Kosovo: Specialist Chambers moves to reparations proceedings following Thaçi judgment

Following the 16 September judgment in the Thaçi et al. case, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers has moved into the reparations phase. Trial Panel II decided that reparations proceedings should be conducted before the Court rather than referring victims to civil litigation in Kosovo, subject to any objections from the Defence. Victims’ Counsel must submit a request for reparations by 14 October, with responses from the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office and Defence due in November.

The development is significant beyond the underlying war-crimes judgment, as it concerns the Court’s approach to victim participation and judicially administered reparations in an internationalised domestic conflict context.

Source: Kosovo Specialist Chambers Read the full update

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Constitutional Court addresses state property dispute

The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina held its 174th plenary session on 24 and 25 September and issued a significant decision concerning state property. In case U-2/26, the Court found that a series of decisions and agreements concerning property in Vareš were incompatible with the Constitution because authorities without jurisdiction had disposed of state property contrary to the state-level temporary prohibition on its disposal and without the involvement of the Office of the Attorney General.

The decision again places the unresolved state-property framework at the centre of constitutional and administrative law in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Source: Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina Read the full decision summary

Albania: Criminal Procedure Code set for major review

Albania is preparing what Justice Minister Toni Gogu described as the broadest review of the Criminal Procedure Code since its adoption. The Ministry of Justice and the Council of Europe are due to discuss the reform package with justice institutions and other stakeholders on 30 September.

The proposed amendments address security measures, procedural rights during investigations and trials, evidence and its administration, preliminary hearings, the presumption of innocence, public access to hearings and personal-data protection. The review follows a Council of Europe study on pre-trial detention and is intended to bring the procedural framework more closely into line with European standards and developing case law.

Source: RTSH / Justice Ministry and Council of Europe consultation Read the full report

Montenegro: Government reports further progress on EU justice and rule-of-law reforms

Montenegro’s Ministry of European Affairs reported on 23 September that the country had completed, or was close to completing, almost all of the European Commission’s requirements for the provisional closure of EU negotiating Chapters 23 and 24, covering the judiciary, fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security.

The government said that more than 30 laws had been adopted as part of the accelerated reform process, alongside constitutional changes. Separately, Montenegro has recently submitted information to the government concerning the execution of three European Court of Human Rights judgments delivered against the country in July 2026.

The developments underline the continued concentration on judicial reform, constitutional safeguards and implementation of Strasbourg judgments.

Source: Ministry of European Affairs of Montenegro Read the full update

Serbia: Constitutional Court prepares electronic filing of constitutional complaints

The Serbian Constitutional Court has signed agreements with the Office for IT and Government and the Ministry of Public Administration enabling the introduction of electronic filing of submissions to the Court.

The planned system is intended to cover constitutional complaints and other submissions, with built-in checks of official records to reduce formal deficiencies. The Court said the first electronic filing services are expected to become operational during November 2026, with the longer-term objective of conducting proceedings and serving decisions electronically.

The move is particularly relevant to practitioners handling constitutional complaints and other rights-based proceedings.

Source: Constitutional Court of Serbia Read the full announcement

Croatia: Government advances legislation affecting energy resources and legal proceedings

The Croatian Government adopted an amendment to the final bill on the exploration and exploitation of energy geothermal resources at its 207th session on 24 September. At the same session, it approved a conclusion concerning amendments to the Crafts Act.

Separately, at its 208th session on 28 September, the Government approved an amendment to an agreement covering the procurement of systems for audio recording and transcription of court hearings.

The latter is of particular interest for legal practitioners as Croatia continues to develop digital infrastructure supporting court administration and the recording of proceedings.

Source: Government of Croatia 27 September 2026 government decisions 28 September 2026 government decisions