History of JAS

About us20.10.2011.

 Judges' Association of Serbia (JAS) was founded on April 26, 1997 under the slogan "I DO NOT AGREE" opposing to the inappropriate role demanded from the judges in the disputes related to the tampering with the results of local elections in 1996. Firstly, there were about 600 members (one quarter of all judges in Serbia).

Contrary to the views of politicians, the judges had no intention to enter politics. The intention was and remained to publicly condemn and stop all meddling of politics in judicial decisions, and to persist with the requests for judicial independence, rule of law, improvement of the reputation and financial position of judges, and improvement of regulations on the organization and work of the courts of law.

Because of their pleading for these goals, the JAS, and especially its most distinguished members, have been targeted by the regime. JAS was under pressure and persecution, which culminated in 1999 and 2000 with illegal suspension of several dozens of its most distinguished members. JAS Board was left without the majority of its members, and the work of the JAS ceased.

Untill 2000 JAS struggled for the official status. JAS finally obtained its official non profit NGO (not a trade-union) status and increased its membership up to 1600 members after the democratic changes in 2000. Such an example of grass-roots establishment of a judges' association is unique in the countries in transition where, almost as a rule, the establishment of the judges’ association was encouraged by new governments after the democratic changes.

After December’s 2009 judicial reappointment in Serbia more that 1/3 of judges (837) was dismissed, as well as almost 1/3 of members of JAS bodies, including the president of Association.
Before the announcement of the HJC reappointment decision on 17th December 2009, JAS adopted the decision that each of its members who have been dismissed (that is not reappointed) will remain the member of JAS till the final decision on her/his status.
Due the need to be registered according to new NGO Law, on February 2011 JAS held its Assembly. More than 900 members renewed/joined membership (reappointed judges are in majority). Some old members didn’t want to renew the membership stated that it is not necessary. Such behavior though might seemed as principled, does not contribute straightening of professional association of judges.

There are separate professional associations of judges and prosecutors in Serbia. After misdemeanor judges were incorporated in judicial system starting 2010, there is the third professional association of misdemeanor judges. In all three associations the membership is voluntary.