New CEELI Institute Guide Empowers Civil Society to Ensure Judicial Independence in Central and Eastern Europe

New CEELI Institute Guide Empowers Civil Society to Ensure Judicial Independence in Central and Eastern Europe 

The CEELI Institute is pleased to announce the release of a new practical guide aimed at supporting civil society organizations (CSOs) in their efforts to protect judicial independence across Central and Eastern Europe. 

Monitoring Judicial Independence: A Guide for Civil Society is the latest outcome of CEELI’s ongoing work to uphold the rule of law in the region. Developed through extensive research and interviews with civil society leaders, legal professionals, and judicial watchdogs, the guide offers both a regional analysis and actionable recommendations for CSOs seeking to design or strengthen judicial independence initiatives. 

In recent years, several countries in the region have witnessed a backsliding of the rule of law, as political actors seek to curtail judicial independence through legislative changes, politicized appointments, or undermining public trust in the judiciary. In this context, civil society has emerged as a vital line of defense. This guide serves as a practical tool to help CSOs—particularly those new to judicial monitoring—understand the stakes, build effective programs, and engage meaningfully with judicial institutions and the public. 

“Monitoring the judiciary is a vaccine against populism,” says Bartosz Pilitowski, co-founder of Court Watch Poland. “It’s a common trait of authoritarians to take steps to constrain judicial independence.” 

The guide includes concrete recommendations based on proven regional and global practices. These include monitoring legislative developments, scrutinizing case allocation procedures, using public information laws to access court records, partnering with legal watchdogs, and engaging directly with judges and court officials. Each recommendation is supported by examples from across the region and beyond—highlighting successful initiatives in countries such as Bulgaria, Serbia, and Poland, as well as international models from Kenya, Indonesia, and the United States. 

The publication also emphasizes that judicial monitoring is not only for legal experts. Civil society leaders, human rights advocates, anti-corruption campaigners, and many others stand to benefit from understanding how courts function—and how to hold them accountable. In doing so, CSOs contribute to a broader effort to safeguard democratic institutions and public trust. 

“A strong, independent judiciary is an essential element of a healthy nation,” writes CEELI Institute Executive Director Robert Strang in the foreword. “Ensuring that countries do not return to the dark era of authoritarian rule requires a robust civil society that supports judicial independence and integrity.” 

The guide focuses on seven countries—Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, and Slovakia—all of which are home to vibrant civil society networks. It is designed to be adaptable, recognizing that every country’s legal system is unique and that successful monitoring programs must be rooted in local contexts. 

The full guide is now available for download on the CEELI Institute’s website here.