The outbreak of COVID-19 has posed enormous challenges to the functioning of every aspect of society. One area where its affects have been felt keenly is in Albanian court proceedings.
EURALIUS, has responded to the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic by promoting and providing the necessary equipment and guidance for remote hearings.

On 7 December 2020, the Tirana District Court, conducted its first remote hearing using the technology and assistance provided by EURALIUS. Twelve Judges who have expressed an interest to conduct remote hearings as well as thirty judicial secretaries have been trained by EURALIUS regarding the use of this technology.

All courts in Albania are encouraged to engage in remote hearings where possible. Holding remote hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic is particularly important to preserve the rule of law and access to justice while ensuring the safety of all participants.
In this regard, EURALIUS is in the process of providing the technology to facilitate such hearings in all Albanian Courts.

On 28 October, EURALIUS in collaboration with the SoM, PAMECA and the Italian Project AICS/CSM organized an online training on judgement upon agreement. The training was attended by 20 judges and prosecutors of Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Court and Special Prosecution Office who widely discussed problems of implementing judgement upon agreement in court practice.
EURALIUS presented an overview of the legislative framework on judgement upon agreement, mainly differences and similarities of various EU and non-EU countries, focusing more on the Croatian system and its peculiarities. Judgement upon agreement in the light of the case law of the European Convention on Human Rights (art.6), particularly the principle of legality and the position of the victim were largely introduced by the EURALIUS.
The training served not only to exchange views and practical experience on the implementation of judgment upon agreement, but it also served to point out some issues that Albanian judges and prosecutors encounter in their daily work.

On 22 October 2020 EURALIUS in collaboration with the SoM, PAMECA and the Italian Project AICS/CSM organized an online training on independent investigation and investigation techniques. The most noteworthy topics discussed on this training were proactive investigations, international cooperation during investigation of transnational crimes, the advantages of using joint investigation teams, their competence and functioning in the territories of each of the parties. A template agreement on establishment of a JIT was also shared with the participants. This training served to share national and international experience in conducting efficient and independent investigations by applying various new investigation techniques and concrete tools and methodologies to improve international cooperation. Training was attended by 50 magistrates.

On 6 October 2020, EURALIUS in collaboration with the Italian Project AICS/CSM delivered a training for the administrative staff of the School of Magistrates on Knowledge Management and Organizational Development. During the training the participants showed high interest on the topic and lively participated in the discussion and contributed on solving practical cases on management of a training institution. Training was attended by 20 participants, all administrative staff of the SoM.