Constitutional Court responds to Osmani: Assignment of cases to reporting judges will be based on procedural rules

In response to Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani's decision to withdraw her request concerning the constitutive session of the Assembly, the Constitutional Court of Kosovo stated that the assignment of cases to reporting judges and review panels will be based on clear procedural rules, which the Court will strictly adhere to.

“Pursuant to Article 113, ‘Jurisdiction and Authorized Parties’ of the Constitution of Kosovo, the Constitutional Court processes all cases lawfully submitted by authorized parties. The assignment of cases for consideration to reporting judges and review panels of the Constitutional Court is based on clear procedural rules, which the Court strictly observes. As a collegial body, the Constitutional Court makes its decisions in plenary session. In this context, parties before the Court have the right to withdraw submitted requests, which the Court will process in accordance with the Constitution, the Law on the Constitutional Court, and its Rules of Procedure,” the Court’s statement, published on Facebook, reads.

President Osmani decided to withdraw her request because Constitutional Court judge Radomir Laban was appointed as the reporting judge in the case.

The Court emphasized that Laban has worked at the institution since 2011 as a legal advisor and has served as a judge since August 9, 2018, after undergoing all constitutionally and legally required procedures, including nomination by the Kosovo Assembly and appointment by a presidential decree.

“The Constitutional Court, as the final authority in Kosovo for interpreting the Constitution, processes all requests submitted by authorized parties impartially, diligently, and professionally, as established by the Constitution of Kosovo,” the statement further underlined.

It also noted that the procedures for the dismissal of judges are clearly defined in the Constitution of Kosovo.