in accordance with the procedural rules and should give special attention to the equal treatment of the participants in the proceedings. Judges should avoid degrading comments or conduct and ensure that any person participating in the proceedings refrains from such comments or conduct. Vigorous encouragement and enforcement of these practices should be a significant part of further judicial reform efforts.�� Removal of court practices from public scrutiny by declaring court hearings closed without good reason indicates������������������������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� a general antipathy toward publicity of hearings. ��������������� This����������� attitude, however, is �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� a���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� sign that judges and other relevant officials are aware of the malfunctioning of the criminal justice system. Awareness of the problem represents an opportunity for change. The next step should be the development and �������������������������������������������� effective����������������������������������� implementation of a comprehensive set of targeted measures to enhance compliance ������������������������������������������������������ with international and national fair trial standards in the actual functioning of the Moldovan criminal justice system. ���������� Concerted efforts of political branches and judicial authorities should encompass a range of legislative, financial, organizational and educational measures across a broad spectrum. The findings and conclusions of the Trial Monitoring Programme lead to the following set of recommendations: To the Political Branches of Government  Follow up on the commitment to comprehensive judicial reform by giving greater priority on the state political agenda to strengthening of the judicial branch.  Support this priority by increasing budget allocations for the judiciary to improve infrastructure and in particular to provide capital investment for the construction and renovation of court houses.  Foster the role of the Superior Council of Magistrates in judicial reform by eliminating confusion between the powers of the Council and the Department for Administration of Justice within the Ministry of Justice and by providing the Council with sufficient staff and adequate facilities.  Through legislative changes  Introduce professional management into the courts.  Introduce a legal procedure for challenging court delays providing parties the right to lodge judicial complaints against lengthy proceedings in pending cases.  Eliminate remaining symbols of prosecutorial power vis-a-vis private parties. In particular, consider eliminating the requirement for public prosecutors to wear uniforms or provide for a requirement for both prosecution and defense to wear robes in court. To the Superior Council of Magistrates  Initiate measures to secure funding to address infrastructure problems that negatively impact on the fairness of court hearings, including problems relating to the inadequacy of court houses, the shortage of space and modern equipment, and the ineffectiveness of court support staff.  In support of the call for increased funding, update minimum operational standards for 82