Macedonia's Judges Academy audit uncovers extensive financial irregularities

The State Audit Office's 2024 report on the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors "Pavel Shatev" identified numerous financial irregularities. Payments to members of the Board and Programme Council were made in full each month regardless of attendance, resulting in overpayments of 1.976 million and 1.512 million denars respectively. Overtime was paid without prior written notice to the labour inspector, and fuel cards were used for private vehicles, costing 325 000 denars. Public procurements totalling 418 000 denars were executed without a tender, and psychological testing for 527 candidates was purchased for nearly 2 million denars without advertisement. The audit also found delays in the second phase of initial training for the eighth generation of trainees, exceeding the statutory deadline by three months and generating additional mentor and coordinator expenses of 2.113 million denars.

Opposition party Levica called for accountability, highlighting that the academy’s misconduct contributes to a public trust rating of only 2 % in the judiciary. Academy director Natasa Gaber‑Damjanovska argued the issues stemmed from an intensive workload rather than deliberate intent. The findings come amid broader concerns about staffing shortages in Macedonia's courts, with only about 67 % of judicial positions filled.