The first graduates of the National Institute of Justice had been admitted in September 2007 and, respectively, graduated in March 2009. Starting with the date of NIJ’s establishment there have been ten classes of graduates in a total number of 137 candidates to the position of a judge and 222 to the position of a prosecutor.

The duration of the initial training course of the candidates to the position of a judge and prosecutor is 18 months.

During the studies at the NIJ, the candidates to the position of a judge and prosecutor benefit a scholarship in an amount equal to the average monthly salary per economy registered during the year preceding the year of studies.

The initial training of the candidates to the position of a judge and prosecutor is performed based on the initial training study plan and the curricula approved by the Council of the NIJ, following its coordination with the Superior Council of Magistrates and the Superior Council of Prosecutors.

The training is done in three semesters:

•    I Semester. Forming of professional pre-judicial abilities.
•    II Semester. Forming of professional abilities necessary for the analysis of the court cases.
•    III Semester. Practical studies for the positions of a judge and prosecutor.

Initial training course of the candidates to the position of a judge and prosecutor is finalized by final examination, consisting of theoretical and practical exams, necessary to assess the level of knowledge required for the positions of a judge and prosecutor. 

Graduates – candidates to the position of a judge and prosecutor – are obliged to participate in the competition for the positions of the judge or prosecutor, as provided by the Law on the Status of a Judge or, respectively, the Law on Prosecutors.

Graduates who failed to pass the competition for the positions of a judge and, respectively, prosecutor are obliged to participate at a repeated competition within maximum 5 years following the graduation of the Institute. Upon expiration of this term, the graduates are not entitled to participate at such competition based on an average grade provided by the certificate issued by the NIJ.

If a graduate, based on certain non-justified grounds, fails to participate at the competition or the positions of a judge and, respectively, prosecutor within 5 years following the graduation of the Institute or refuses, at least twice and without any reasonable ground, his/her appointment to the position of a judge or prosecutor, such graduate is to be withdrawn from the Registry of participants of the competition or the positions of a judge and prosecutor, being obliged to repay the scholarship received during the initial training. The repayment of the scholarship is to be decided by the Council with respec to the graduates who worked as judges or prosecutors or other public servant position for a period of less than 3 years following their appointment thereto.