Monaco’s judiciary have reconvened and stressed the importance of reforming procedures for both civil and criminal cases, in order to comply with the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights and to meet the needs of a modern and efficient legal system.

In particular, the Monaco courts will “pursue more effectively the fight against economic and financial crimes,” according to the Attorney General of Monaco, Sylvie Petit-Leclair. In terms of international judicial cooperation, the majority of last year’s 148 requests involved this type of case, she said.

The appointment of a third investigating judge will help prioritise and speed up the prosecution of serious crimes, in cooperation with the Financial Circular Information and Control Service (SICCFIN), the Director of Public Security and the Prosecutor’s Office.

Brigitte Grinda-Gambarini, President of the Court of Appeal, has said that Monaco’s small size means that judicial proceedings are followed more closely from other countries. There is also a need to respond to the recommendations of GRECO (Group of States against Corruption).