1The High Judicial Council shall carry out an assessment of the judicial districts and the territorial competences of courts at least every five years.
2In case the assessment provides facts that the judicial map does not meet the objectives, principles and criteria as set out in Article 14 and 15 of this law, the High Judicial Council and the Minister of Justice shall elaborate a joint proposal for the re-design of judicial districts and the territorial competences of courts.
3Before adopting a joint proposal, the High Judicial Council and the Minister of Justice shall obtain the opinion of the High Prosecutorial Council, of the Prosecutor General, the Minister of Finance and consult with other interested parties.
4Any process of establishing or re-designing the judicial district and the territorial competences of courts shall be carried out in a transparent manner based on a thorough assessment of the current situation and shall take into account the objectives, principles and criteria as set out in Article 14 and 15 of this law and the need for continuity of judicial services, the transfer of staff and the organisation of logistics.
5The joint proposal of the High Judicial Council and the Minister of Justice for the judicial map shall be submitted for adoption to the Council of Ministers by the Minister of Justice.
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