DIGITAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE: A STEP TOWARDS REFORMING THE MACEDONIAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM ON THE PATH TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

Abstract

Digital technologies have a significant positive impact on the efficiency and accessibility of justice. At
the same time, the justice sector must actively promote digital skills if it hopes to equip judges,
prosecutors, court personnel, and other justice practitioners to use digital tools efficiently and with
respect for those who are seeking justice. The changes taking place in the digital age, including the
creation and application of technological solutions that are complementary and replacements, with
varying degrees of legal support and social consideration, are unavoidably impacting the justice system.
The overt risks and threats that must be considered include intrusions on confidentiality, egregious
security flaws, and structural erosion of privacy, to name just a few. The manipulation of the legal
system and particular procedures, as well as the covert undermining of the rule of law and human rights,
including their authority and values, constitute a sizeable portion of the threats that are also concealed
and implicit. The concept of digital access to justice will be covered in more detail in the following
section, along with the question of whether the digitization of justice necessarily leads to improved
access to justice. In the following, we will also state the need to implement certain reform steps for the
modernization of the Macedonian judicial system. We should adhere to a plan that guarantees the rule
of law and observance of the fundamental values upon which the EU is based by establishing an
effective, high-quality, and independent judicial system as a prerequisite for applying EU law as we
move toward full membership in the EU.