In a move to strengthen Kosovo’s judiciary, Albulena Haxhiu, acting as the President of the Republic, officially decreed 17 new judges with initial mandates on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
The appointments followed a formal proposal from the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC). The new cohort of judges reflects Kosovo’s multi-ethnic legal framework, consisting of 15 judges from the Albanian community and 2 from the Serbian community.
Oath of Integrity and Professionalism
During the swearing-in ceremony held at the Presidency, the newly appointed judges pledged their loyalty to the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Kosovo. Their oath emphasized several core pillars of judicial service:
- Professional Ethics: A commitment to the highest standards of legal conduct.
- Integrity and Impartiality: Exercising duties without bias or external pressure.
- Constitutional Loyalty: Upholding the fundamental legal framework of the state.
“Justice is Non-Negotiable”
Acting President Haxhiu addressed the judges, underscoring the weight of their new roles. She noted that judicial decisions have a profound and direct impact on the lives of citizens, making the office a significant public responsibility.
“Justice is not negotiated,” Haxhiu stated, urging the judges to remain strictly independent of any political, financial, or personal influences during their mandates.
Strategic Placement
The 17 judges are set to begin their duties across several key levels of the judicial system, aimed at reducing case backlogs and improving legal efficiency:
- Basic Courts: Handling local criminal and civil matters.
- Commercial Court: Dealing with business disputes and economic legalities (first-instance chambers).
- Administrative Court: Overseeing disputes involving state institutions and administrative decisions.
This expansion of the judiciary is seen as a critical step in Kosovo’s ongoing efforts to bolster the rule of law and ensure a fair, transparent, and swift legal process for all residents.
