Acting justice minister: Judicial system reconfigured, over 100 new judges and 37 new prosecutors promoted

Acting Minister of Justice Veronica Mihailov-Moraru presented today a detailed report on the Ministry's activities from February 2023 to October 2025, highlighting major achievements in filling vacant positions, reorganizing the judicial and prosecutorial systems, as well as institutional reforms to increase the attractiveness of judge and prosecutor positions.


'Major reforms in recent years have led to certain resignations and the non-promotion of some candidates for judges and prosecutors. However, during 2023-2024, the judicial and prosecutorial system underwent extensive institutional reconfiguration and the promotion of a new generation of magistrates and prosecutors. In the last three years, 60 new judges have been included, and another 50 candidates are proposed for appointment by the President of the Republic of Moldova, amounting to a total of 110 judges. Additionally, 37 new prosecutor positions have been filled,' declared Veronica Mihailov-Moraru.


The Minister of Justice also spoke about the reorganization of courts and prosecutor's offices:


'Another major reform aimed at revising the judicial and prosecutor's map, to improve citizens' access to justice and ensure the specialization of judges. Today we have 14 main judicial courts, with some modified jurisdictions. The courts of appeal have been reorganized into the North, South, and Central Courts of Appeal, with the South Court of Appeal having two locations, including a secondary one in Comrat. The prosecutor's map has been reduced from 36 to 14 structures through mergers, maintaining secondary offices in districts. This reorganization also extends to the probationary system and judicial executors'.


The minister emphasized the special attention given to court infrastructure and training future magistrates and prosecutors:


'Feasibility studies have been developed for the courts in Cahul, Căușeni, and Orhei, and the procurement procedures for design services for the Orhei headquarters have been initiated. Land has also been identified for 10 new courts. In parallel, the National Institute of Justice has trained 69 candidates for judge positions and 60 for prosecutor positions, strengthening the capabilities of future magistrates. The Institute's programs have been revised to be more representative, including studies for judges, prosecutors, and civil society members, and integrity and professionalism standards have been raised, including through increasing the graduation grade'.


Another point in the report focused on the reform of the Constitutional Court:


'The legal framework of the Constitutional Court has been modernized and aligned with the Venice Commission's standards, to ensure the Court's autonomy and clarify function incompatibilities. The circle of those entitled to petition has been expanded, including the Superior Council of Prosecutors, to enhance transparency and impartiality of the Court's decisions'.


The Minister also highlighted measures to increase the attractiveness of vacant positions:


'During 2023-2025, the reference value for judges was increased by almost 70%, and for prosecutors, progressively. Salaries for court personnel, the Superior Council of Magistracy, the Superior Council of Prosecutors, and the National Institute of Justice, including inspectors and clerks, have also increased. We have established compensations for transport and housing rent expenses for magistrates working outside Chisinau, essential measures to attract qualified specialists and ensure the judiciary's functionality'.


Veronica Mihailov-Moraru has held the position of Minister of Justice since February 2023, being a member of the cabinet led by Dorin Recean.