Adopted by parliament: more judicial procedures to be digitalized to improve access to justice in Moldova

More judicial procedures will be digitalized, in order to enhance the efficiency, transparency and access to justice. The parliament today voted, in the first reading, on a draft law to this effect.

The legislative initiative belongs to the Justice Ministry and includes proposals made by the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), the Agency for Digitalization in Justice, as well as representatives of the courts. The drafting of the bill is part of the actions set out in the Reform Agenda related to the Growth Plan of Moldova for 2025–2027.

According to the document, courts will be able to access, via the interoperability platform, information from databases and information systems managed by public authorities and institutions. This measure will facilitate the electronic communication of procedural documents and increase the accuracy of this process, since the electronic addresses of the parties will be taken directly from public registers, which are periodically updated.

The draft also provides for amendments to the Civil Procedure Code, so that procedural documents can be served by electronic means, in particular through the Integrated Case Management Programme. Thus, the transmission of summonses and notices in electronic format will no longer be a measure applicable only in urgent cases, but will become a method of communication applicable in all cases. At the same time, the sides involved in the proceedings or their representatives will be obliged to inform the court of any change in their electronic contact address.

Some statements of claim may also be filed online, through the Integrated Case Management Programme, using a qualified electronic signature.

The use of electronic means will also be extended to contravention procedures. Thus, procedural documents may be served in electronic format, and the reporting agent will be required to submit appeals and case files electronically via the Integrated Case Management Programme.

The authors also propose amendments to the Administrative Code. They concern the regulation of electronic filing of actions in administrative litigation, the prior transmission of documents to the defendant and third parties, as well as the possibility of examining cases by videoconference.

The draft law is to be examined by the parliament in the second reading. After its adoption, the new legislative provisions will enter into force three months after publication in the Official Journal.