27.06.2025. » 12:39 | ACDC
Conference Held on the Inclusion of Non-Majority Communities in the Free Legal Professions in Kosovo
North Mitrovica, June 26, 2025 - At the Civic Energy Center in North Mitrovica, on June 26, 2025, the organization ACDC held a conference dedicated to the inclusion of non-majority communities in the free legal professions in Kosovo. The event gathered representatives of judicial institutions, the international community, civil society, and legal professionals, with the aim of presenting research findings and initiating a discussion on the challenges and opportunities for greater representation of non-majority communities—primarily Serbs—in the professions of notaries, lawyers, and enforcement officers.
The conference was opened by the Head of the UNMIK Rule of Law Office, Antero Lopes, who emphasized the importance of equal access to legal professions and underlined that the inclusion of non-majority communities is essential for building trust and long-term stability. He particularly commended ACDC’s contribution through the report that served as a basis for the discussion.
The report was presented by Dušan Radaković, Executive Director of ACDC, who spoke about numerous institutional and administrative obstacles that hinder access to these professions for members of non-majority communities, especially in the area of notary services. Among other things, the report highlights:
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Out of 137 active notaries in Kosovo, only one is from the Serbian community, and in the last selection process, no candidates from this community were chosen, despite meeting the requirements;
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Of 1,456 licensed lawyers, only 34 (2.33%) are Serbs;
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There are no enforcement officers from the Serbian community, including in the four predominantly Serbian municipalities in northern Kosovo.
The panel discussion included the following participants:
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Artan Osmani, a notary from North Mitrovica, who emphasized that he strives to serve all citizens and that, despite challenges, his office provides services to all communities. He also stressed the issue of lack of language support, which complicates the work and creates additional costs for offices.
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Boban Petković, a lawyer and candidate for notary, stated that he applied twice for notary positions but was rejected without any explanation. In one instance, although he was highly ranked by a British commission, he was not included in the final list adopted by the parliamentary committee.
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Gzim Shala, senior researcher at the Kosovo Law Institute, assessed that the existing system constitutes a form of discrimination against non-majority communities. He emphasized that public legal professions are part of access to justice and that all citizens must have equal access to these services, including the mandatory application of affirmative measures when there are qualified candidates.
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Jovana Filipović, a lawyer, stated that only 2.33% of lawyers come from the Serbian community and that there is a lack of incentives for their inclusion. She emphasized the importance of respecting language rights and the need to bring free legal professions closer to young lawyers through education and internships.
All participants agreed that the inclusion of non-majority communities in the legal system is essential for achieving equality, justice, and long-term stability in Kosovo.
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