Similar Trial Monitoring Programmes have previously been organized and implemented by the ODIHR and OSCE field presences in other countries including Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro. Each of these programmes had distinguishing peculiarities dictated by specific programmatic objectives and local circumstances. The overall goal of each Trial Monitoring Programme, however, has been the same: to enhance compliance with commitments on human rights in general and the right to a fair trial in particular, to increase the transparency of the judiciary and to increase public trust in the court system. 1.3. Legislative Developments Relevant to the Judiciary during the Trial Monitoring Programme This section of the report highlights the principal developments relating to the Moldovan judiciary and relevant to ensuring the right to a fair trial that occurred during the implementation of the Trial Monitoring Programme. The Moldovan judiciary is still undergoing reforms that began in 1994 with the adoption of the Constitution and the Concept for Judiciary and Rule of Law Reform in Moldova.12 Judicial reform is an important part of the EU–Moldova Action Plan, Council of Europe Monitoring13 and the National Development Strategy for 2008-2011.14 The legislative and practical measures referred to briefly are all part of the ongoing effort to reform the Moldovan judicial system. In terms of legislation, the Parliament has adopted a series of new laws meant to respond to important gaps in the functioning of the judiciary. Some of these laws are accompanied by practical measures. The adoption of the Law on the Status and Organization of the Activity of Court Clerks,15 the inclusion of court clerks as beneficiaries of the training activities carried out by the National Institute of Justice16 and the adoption of the Superior Council of Magistrates’ Decision on the attestation of court clerks should improve the status and performance of the court clerks. The adoption of the Law on State-guaranteed Legal Aid17 should improve the quality of legal aid, which had been much criticized in a series of reports and assessments that preceded its adoption. A National Legal Aid Council has been set up to draft and implement legal aid policies in the country and to monitor the quality of legal aid. These activities will be carried out in cooperation with the Moldovan Bar Association. The National Legal Aid Council, although entrusted with important and necessary competencies, does not have permanent status. This could impede its ability to function effectively. The Law Regarding the Authorization and Remuneration of Interpreters and Translators applicable to the Superior Council of Magistrates, Ministry of Justice, prosecution offices, criminal investigation bodies, courts, notaries, lawyers and court bailiffs18 should improve the quality and increase the 12 ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� The Concept for Judiciary and Rule of Law in Moldova, approved by Parliament Decision No. 152 of 21 June 1994. 13 ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� See the last PACE Monitoring Report on Honouring of obligations and commitments by Moldova, Doc. 11374 of 14 September 2007. 14 ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� National Strategy for Development for 2008-2011, approved by Law No. 295 of 21 December 2007. 15 ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Law on the Status and Organization of the Activity of Court Clerks, No. 59 of 15 March 2007, entered into force on 1 January 2008. 16 ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ According to the Law on the National Institute of Justice, No. 152 of 8 June 2006, entered into force on 28 June 2006. 17 ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Law on State Guaranteed Legal Aid, No. 198 of 26 July 2007, entered into force on 1 July 2008. 18 ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Law regarding ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� the Authorization and Remuneration of Interpreters and Translators applicable to the 13