Justice Minister Bojan Marichikj said Thursday the changes to Law on Court Fees, which envisage significant reduction of court fees for individuals, come into force today.

“Court fees have been significantly reduced. If in the past they amounted to up to Mden 48,000 (EUR 800) now individuals will not pay more than Mden 6,000 (EUR 100). The costs for court fees in the trial in first instance courts will range from Mden 480 (EUR 8) to a maximum of Mden 6,000 (EUR 100),” Marichikj said at the press conference.

We expect, Marichikj added, such changes to be in the interest of both lawyers and experts, because citizens will be encouraged to bring the matter before the court.

If the citizen would have to pay the maximum amount of Mden 48,000 for court fees, according to the adopted changes, the fee will amount Mden 6,000, which is eight-fold cut, he said.

“The changes that we have made are also in the spirit of the National Poverty Reduction Strategy. At the same time, in accordance with the government’s work programme 2020-2024, one of the key strategic priorities is to provide a functional rule of law, according to which, among other things, it is emphasized that “Citizens in the Republic of North Macedonia oftentimes waive judicial protection of their rights due to high court fees. We will reduce court fees, because high court fees make justice inaccessible to citizens,” and we have already fulfilled this promise,” Marichikj underlined.

He stressed that while the world and our country are struggling to contain coronavirus pandemic and the health system is facing the biggest challenge in the history of the country, the government continues to work in the interest of the citizens.