Turkey's premier unveils 'New Judicial Reform Strategy'

ANKARA

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has introduced a 'New Judicial Reform Strategy' before the upcoming June 7 general elections.

Speaking at the Cankaya Prime Ministry Office in Ankara, Davutoglu said: "It is a must for the judicial system to be regularly reformed."

Davutoglu added that the package includes five goals and 22 major reforms.

"Our first aim is the strengthening of judicial independence and impartiality. The second aim is an increase in accountability and transparency. Third, ensuring faster and more efficient functionality in the judicial system. Fourth, creating a human-oriented system based on the satisfaction of citizens and finally, an approach that protects and improves freedoms," said Davutoglu. 

The premier said this is not a "final" package and the proposals will be passed for consultation to actors in the judicial system, non-governmental organizations and bar assosiations. 

The package includes:

- New courthouses to be built. 

- Notary system to be re-structured.

- The number of judges and prosecutors to be increased. 

- To make the citizen's work easier, information offices are to be established in court houses. Press offices are also to be built there. 

- Legal education to become widespread. 

- Bankruptcy system to be restructured. 

- To activate e-judicial services. 

- To protect the rights of citizens abroad more. 

- To review the regulation of the legal profession.