HJPC: In 10 years, 1.7 million KM spent on daily allowances, accommodation and lump sums

More than 1.7 million KM has been spent on daily allowances, accommodation, travel expenses and lump sums for 50 members of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) in the past ten years, according to data from the list of earnings published by this state judicial institution, reports the Patria news agency.

Some of the presidents and members of this body, which regulates the work of judicial institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), earned on average more than 1,500 KM per month.

The highest earner was former president and member Milorad Novković, who received 157,000 KM over nine years.

Members Obren Bužanin, a judge of the Supreme Court of the RS, and Zijad Kadrić, a judge of the Appellate Court of the Brčko District, for example, earned on average just over 1,500 KM per month.

The HJPC stated that they paid the fees in accordance with the Council of Ministers' Decisions on the amount of fees for HJPC members from 2005 and 2010.

According to the 2005 decision, all members received a monthly lump sum of 170 KM for preparation and attendance at sessions, while the president received 420 KM for preparation and attendance at sessions, preparatory meetings with the Secretary of the Secretariat, and performing other duties. HJPC members were also entitled to an additional 100 or 150 KM for work on commissions and other activities.

Under the 2010 decision, the president's lump sum increased to 1,300 KM per month. Vice-presidents and members in full-time employment receive a lump sum of 1,000 KM, while other members receive 200 KM per working day.

 

Council sessions are held once a month and last on average two days.

-Performing duties in the Council also includes the average time required for travel from the place of work of that Council member to the place of performing duties for the Council, up to a maximum of eight hours per day, states the Council of Ministers' Decision from 2010.

The duties of the HJPC include, among other things, appointing judges and prosecutors, receiving complaints and conducting disciplinary proceedings, and supervising the professional training of judges and prosecutors.

The Council consists of 15 members, the majority of whom are judges, prosecutors and lawyers, while two members are persons who do not perform a judicial function. Their term is four years and they may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.

Before publishing the earnings, the Council, in April this year, also opened its sessions to the public, which can be followed from another room via video link, writes CIN.