The forthcoming second training course, in partnership with the School of Magistrates in Tirana, focuses on the critical areas of merger control and regulated sectors within the scope of competition law. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the judicial capacity and understanding necessary for the effective enforcement of the Albanian competition law.

The training aims to deepen judges' knowledge in specific, high-stakes areas of competition law, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle complex cases involving merger control and the regulation of pivotal economic sectors such as energy and telecommunications. The sessions will be led by esteemed experts whose insights will provide the judges with a robust understanding of both procedural and substantive rules in merger analysis, as well as the intricacies of competition in regulated sectors.

The 2015 UNCTAD Voluntary Peer Review of Competition Law and Policy of Albania previously underscored the necessity for such training, given the reforms in administrative justice and the creation of the specialized Administrative Court of Tirana. Despite these advances, the enforcement of decisions remains a challenge, emphasized by the 2021 EU Report which noted the modest outcomes of judicial proceedings in competition cases in Albania.

This training not only addresses these gaps but also prepares the judiciary for Albania’s ongoing integration into the European Union. The curriculum, developed in conjunction with the Albanian Magistrates School, is designed to be highly interactive to facilitate the practical application of learned concepts through group discussions and case studies. This approach ensures that the training is not merely theoretical but deeply engrained in practical realities, enhancing both the immediate and long-term capabilities of the judiciary.

The training course will be conducted in both English and Albanian.