In the Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, No. 9/2026, amendments and supplements to several statutes governing the organization and functioning of courts and public prosecution offices in the Republic of Serbia were published.
Statutes covered by the amendments:
- First, by the amendments to the Law on Public Prosecution, the focus of decision-making in relation to objections and managerial instruments (binding instructions, substitution and devolution) is shifted from a commission-based model to the competent authority, namely the Chief Public Prosecutor of the immediately higher public prosecution office, or the Collegium of the Supreme Public Prosecution Office. At the same time, statutory time limits for decision-making and the legal consequences of failure to act are expressly prescribed.
- The same legislative approach is further confirmed by the amendments to the Law on the High Prosecutorial Council, which delete provisions referring to the existence of a commission competent to decide on objections, thereby ensuring normative alignment with the solutions introduced in the Law on Public Prosecution.
- The amendments to the Law on the Organization and Jurisdiction of State Authorities for Combating High-Tech Crime further clarify the institutional framework by conferring jurisdiction over cases covered by this law on the Belgrade Higher Public Prosecution Office for the entire territory of the Republic of Serbia, with the establishment of a Special Department for Combating High-Tech Crime. The position of the Head of this Department is regulated in detail, including the manner of appointment, term of office, responsibility for the work of the Department, as well as powers relating to internal organization and rules of procedure.
- In parallel, the amendments to the Law on the Seats and Territorial Jurisdiction of Courts and Public Prosecution Offices reorganize the network of basic courts and basic public prosecution offices in Belgrade. The territorial jurisdiction of the Third Basic Court is assigned to the municipality of New Belgrade, while the Fourth Basic Court in Belgrade (and the Fourth Basic Public Prosecution Office) is established with jurisdiction over the municipalities of Zemun and Surčin. Transitional provisions are also introduced concerning the transfer of pending cases, personnel and resources, with the application of these amendments commencing on 1 July 2026.
- Furthermore, by the amendment to the Law on Judges, the wording excluding the possibility of re-appointment is abolished, and the possibility of one additional appointment is introduced.
- Finally, the amendment to the Law on Civil Servants postpones the commencement of application of certain solutions introduced by the 2025 amendments, by shifting the relevant deadline from 2026 to 2027, thus deferring the application of rules relating to fixed-term employment and competitive recruitment procedures within the civil service.
For additional information or consultations, the Tasić & Partners team is at your disposal.