From Archives to Access to Justice

When Besartë Mulolli joined the Court of Appeal as a legal officer, she stepped into work that was helping quietly reshape the way courts preserve and retrieve decades of legal history. Through the digital transition of court archives—an initiative launched by UNDP in cooperation with the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) and supported by the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)—she found herself working with files dating back more than half a century.

For Besartë, the archive was never just a collection of paper stacked on shelves. It was the institutional memory of the justice system, holding the record of lives, disputes and decisions accumulated over generations. But in overcrowded and disorganized archive rooms, locating case files could take time, slowing procedures and affecting timely access to justice.

Together with other legal officers across the Basic Courts, Besartë helped digitize thousands of civil case files. Since September 2024 alone, the initiative has contributed to the digitization of more than 43,000 civil cases. At the same time, broader improvements introduced modern archive infrastructure and organized more than 2,061 square metres of archive space across courts.

For court staff, the change is visible in everyday work. Files that once required time and effort to trace can now be located far more quickly, helping courts operate more efficiently and respond faster to the needs of the public.

“Seeing how quickly court staff can now locate and access case information shows how important this transformation has been. A well-organized and digital archive helps courts work more efficiently and, most importantly, helps people access justice faster,” said Besartë Mulolli.

Beyond the shelves and storage rooms, the initiative speaks to a larger goal: strengthening the institutions people rely on. The effort improves efficiency, transparency and access to justice, contributing directly to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

This article builds on the earlier Exposure story “The Power of Court Digitalisation”, originally developed by Perparim Leka, and has been updated with the latest information and data following additional consultations with the Court Administrator, ICT Officer, and Legal Assistant at the Judicial Council of Kosovo.