1In implementing the competences provided for in Article 95 of this Law, the High Judicial Council shall perform the following tasks:

aassist courts in drafting their draft annual budgets;

bcollect and analyse data on the implementation of the budget and the revenues obtained by courts;

csupervise and advise the courts on appropriate and efficient techniques and procedures related with their financial management;

çset standards of best practices and performance targets in relation with financial administration of courts;

dprovide training for judicial staff on financial management of courts;

dhundertake projects aiming at improving the financial management of courts;

etake further steps designed to facilitate effective and consistent fund-raising for the courts;

ëcooperate and ask for funds from other local and international agencies in relation to Council functions.

2In order to implement the tasks foreseen in the first paragraph of this Article, the Judicial Budget Administration Unit shall be an integral and functional part of the Council.

3The Judicial Budget Administration Unit shall have the following competences:

aexamine and determine budget needs of all components of the judiciary in cooperation with financial sectors of courts at all instances;

bprocess financial indicators relating to courts’ requirements and activities;

ccontrol the use of funds given to courts by their destinations.

4Regarding the activity of the Judicial Budget Administration Unit, the Council shall exercise the following competences:

aapprove the draft annual and mid-term budget proposed by the Unit for each court instance and submit it for consideration and approval in accordance with the provisions of the respective legislation.;

baudit and monitor the use of allocated funds and analyse courts’ requirements for funds that may arise during the budget year.

5Funds made available to the Council and the courts shall be used for the following purposes:

asalaries and social insurance of the Council members and staff and of the judges, judicial civil servants and other employees of the courts;

bmeeting operating costs needs of the Council and the courts, as well as for other judicial activities;

cbuilding or refurbishing court buildings and other investments;

çcovering court costs connected to the provision of mandatory legal aid in cases stipulated in specific legal provisions.