Moldovan judicial training legislative reforms

The Parliament of Moldova has passed a second reading of a bill to amend the Law on the National Institute of Justice (INJ), introducing new regulations for judicial and prosecutorial candidates.

Under the new rules, candidates who fail to achieve a minimum general average of 8.00 on their initial exam will be permitted to retake the examination. These individuals will retain their status as trainees at the INJ and will not be required to immediately refund their study scholarships. However, if a candidate fails to reach the 8.00 average during the repeat session, they must reimburse the INJ for the scholarships received during their studies.

The legislation, drafted by members of the Action and Solidarity Party following proposals from the INJ, also clarifies trainee rights. Trainees will receive mandatory medical insurance throughout their studies, including periods of suspension due to health reasons. Absences due to temporary incapacity for work or the illness of a relative up to the second degree will no longer be treated as disciplinary infractions, and such absences will not result in the loss of scholarships or expulsion.

Additionally, the project allows trainees to request a suspension of courses for health reasons, with the option to return to the same or the following year of study without repaying scholarships received prior to the suspension. The bill also includes provisions allowing candidates to transfer from the prosecutor track to the judicial track.