Montenegro Ministry of Justice proposes 50% increase in court fees

The Ministry of Justice in Montenegro has proposed a significant increase in court fees, potentially raising them by approximately 50%. The Ministry justifies this move by stating that fee amounts have not been adjusted since 2005 and must be aligned with current inflation rates.

Legal professionals have raised concerns regarding the impact of this proposal on the public's ability to access justice. Attorney Veselin Radulović argued that increasing fees and introducing new ones does not address the underlying issue of insufficient collection of existing fees. He warned that high costs, combined with strict payment deadlines and the threat of forced execution, could act as a deterrent, discouraging citizens from initiating legal proceedings to protect their rights.

Attorney Saša Vujović also emphasized that while the state has an interest in collecting fees to fund judicial operations, this should not serve as a barrier to citizens seeking legal protection.