New regulation bans mobile phones, National Chamber of Advocates announces indefinite boycott of hearings at the Special Anti-Corruption Court

The National Chamber of Advocates has decided to boycott court hearings at the Special Anti-Corruption Court, in protest against the Special Court’s regulation banning the use of phones inside court premises.

Lawyer Maks Haxhia said in a statement to the media that the boycott was unanimously approved until the suspension of the Special Anti-Corruption Court’s new regulation. He stressed that lawyers who oppose the boycott will face disciplinary measures, including the revocation of their licenses.

“After a constructive debate, primarily taking the proceedings into consideration, the General Council ultimately decided to boycott only hearings at the Special Anti-Corruption Court. This boycott will remain in place until the new regulation is suspended. It also supports the interests of the media, whose function and mission of covering these hearings and ensuring transparency are being completely affected.

It was decided that the boycott would not apply to security measures or sentences that are part of the amnesty process. Another point of this decision was that all lawyers who oppose it will be subject to disciplinary proceedings by the Disciplinary Committee, with the extreme measure of having their licenses revoked,” he declared.