The seminar on the protection of competition, to be held in Podgorica in June 2026. Montenegro
In March 2026, Montenegro passed a law on the protection of competition in order to bring its legislation into line with EU standards. However, there are a number of practical challenges in applying the regulations.
At a seminar organised by IRZ in collaboration with the Training Centre for Judges and Prosecutors (COSDT), Montenegrin judges therefore shared practical knowledge on competition law with their colleagues in Podgorica, Montenegro, in early June. They learnt how to handle complex commercial law proceedings efficiently, in a legally sound manner and in line with EU standards.
The focus was on current developments in competition law, particularly with regard to prohibited agreements and the enforcement of rules concerning the abuse of a dominant market position. Experts from the judiciary, competition authorities and academia provided insights into recent developments in case law. The seminar examined both the legal foundations and practical approaches to the work of the authorities, including the use of sectoral analyses to better assess market behaviour.
The programme was rounded off by an introduction to key concepts in competition law, as well as a discussion of current legal issues in the field of merger control and the assessment of market power.
Round-table on civil procedure law, early June 2026 in Podgorica Montenegro
At the beginning of June, Montenegrin judges discussed current issues in civil procedure law during a round-table discussion that we held in Podgorica, Montenegro.
The discussion focused on:
Rules on the burden of proof and the assessment of evidence, as well as current problematic aspects of case law
The role of the court in civil proceedings (the limits of the court’s control over proceedings, requirements regarding the parties’ conduct of the proceedings, and the importance of substantive case management for procedural efficiency and the right to a fair trial).
Issues relating to the conduct of hearings before the Court of Appeal (in particular, the purpose, legal requirements and decision-making powers of the court of second instance)
Preventing the abuse of procedural rights and the distinction between the legitimate exercise of rights and conduct that obstructs proceedings.
The IRZ’s regional approach
Particularly with regard to the last topic, there was an in-depth discussion of regional experiences, as well as comparative approaches and European standards for fair trial. This was supported by the speakers Adnan Baručija and Goran Nezirović, judges at the Supreme Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
What stands out most in our memory?
The event also provided a forum for professional exchange on current challenges in the application of the Code of Civil Procedure, particularly with regard to the standardisation of case law and the further development of judicial practice.
Cooperation with our partner We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Training Centre for Judges and Public Prosecutors (COSDT), with whom we jointly organised this round table.
The 8th Anti-Corruption Conference in Podgorica Montenegro
According to EU country reports, corruption remains one of the main problems in the preparations for EU accession of the current candidate countries, including Montenegro. That is why IRZ has been working there for years with the NGO MANS, the main organiser of the annual national anti-corruption conference.
The importance of this event is underlined by the fact that it is supported by the EU itself, among others.
The 8th Anti-Corruption Conference, which was opened by Montenegrin Minister of Justice Bojan Bojovic and Peter Felten, German Ambassador to Montenegro, as well as other of his counterparts, addressed the topic of ‘Unexplained assets and lifestyle as important early indicators of high-level corruption’. It provided a forum for exchange, particularly with regard to the verification and confiscation of assets among judges, prosecutors and police officers. Mechanisms for integrity checks and accountability were also discussed.
On behalf of IRZ, Detlef Kreuzer, former head of the Economic Crime Division at the Hamburg State Office of Criminal Investigation, who has also gained extensive experience in reforming countries as an international expert, presented the practices in these countries and the German legal perspective.
He developed recommendations for action and practical guidelines, including, in particular, integrity checks based on reliable data. He also emphasised that although a reversal of the burden of proof is legally possible, it requires a very solid basis in the form of concrete grounds for suspicion, which must meet very high standards. In addition, he pointed out that the implementation of vetting and similar screening procedures also has a general impact on the institutions concerned, including a significant signal effect for the next generation.
The event, which as usual received broad media coverage in the country itself, is documented in its original form on YouTube. Mr Kreuzer's presentation can be found there from 03:01:05 and Ambassador Felten's welcoming address can be heard from 18:28.
