The access of parties and participants in trials to judges' offices is strictly prohibited. The exception is the courtroom, say regulations that were approved by the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM), IPN reports.
According to the regulations, media representatives’ access to court hearings will be ensured through preregistration with the specialist responsible for public relations. The application will be submitted 24 hours before the visit, and the reasons why registration is necessary will be indicated, by attaching the accreditation document. The list of journalists who registered to attend the hearing shall be communicated to the chair of the hearing before the start of the hearing.
The access of other persons, who are not participants in the trial, but who wish to attend the public court hearings is allowed by the chair of the hearing, the persons concerned being required to ask for permission by means of a written request at least 30 minutes before the start of the hearing. The court will only be able to grant permission to a limited number of applicants, taking into account the space available in the courtroom and the order in which applications were submitted.
At the same time, public access to the courtroom and the court can be prohibited by the president or vice-presidents of the court and the chair of the hearing, respectively. The reasons for such a decision shall always be communicated publicly.
"For particular security reasons, when there is a real danger of disturbance of public order inside the court, the security guards will limit access to the court and will urgently provide the necessary help to the competent bodies, by immediately informing the court’s administration," say the regulations.
In the context of the examination of the regulations, SCM member Livia Mitrofan said that these provisions are necessary to ensure the security of judges, courts, but also to maintain order in court and the proper conduct of hearings, when there are many persons willing to participate and the examination of cases can be disrupted. Also, the president of the court will be able to make sure that the hearing is held in a larger room, with the participation of journalists and other persons.
