Prishtina, May 14, 2026 – The American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo hosted a forum on the functionalization of the Administrative Court of Kosovo, to discuss the role of the newly functionalized court in strengthening legal certainty and improving the investment climate in Kosovo.

Opening the discussion, Arian Zeka, Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo, emphasized that the establishment and operationalization of the Administrative Court represents an important step in strengthening Kosovo’s rule of law architecture and institutional maturity. He said that for the business community, legal certainty is not an abstract principle. It is one of the fundamental conditions upon which investment decisions, contractual relationships, and trust in public institutions are built, adding that the efficiency and predictability of resolving administrative disputes directly shape investor confidence and perceptions of governance and accountability.

Moderating the panel, Korab Sejdiu, from Sejdiu & Qerkini LLC, and also Chairman of the Financial Services and Investment Climate Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo, emphasized that the functionalization of the Administrative Court represents one of the most important recent institutional and business-related developments in Kosovo. Sejdiu said that a functional administrative justice system not only affects the protection of citizens’ rights, but also has a direct impact on the business and investment climate, legal certainty, and above all, institutional accountability, noting the close connection between the effectiveness of the justice system and broader economic development.

Acting President of the Administrative Court, Rexhep Gashi, emphasized that the Court will play a crucial role in strengthening the rule of law, improving judicial protection for citizens and businesses, and increasing public trust in institutions. Gashi noted that administrative disputes directly affect key areas such as taxation, property rights, licensing, and public procurement, and that adjudication by a specialized court with specialized judges will contribute to more predictable, professional, and efficient judicial processes. Gashi further stressed that administrative justice has direct implications for the country’s economic development, as investors require legal certainty, predictable procedures, and timely adjudication before committing investments.

Representing LEX Business, Vjosa Shkodra highlighted the high expectations that businesses have from the Administrative Court, particularly regarding predictability, efficiency, and effective dispute resolution. She emphasized that the establishment of another specialized court within Kosovo’s judicial system addresses longstanding structural challenges and fragmentation of administrative disputes across different courts, while also underlining the importance of ensuring effective implementation of the reform in practice.

Agon Drini from Kërveshi & Partners Law Firm stated that the establishment of the Administrative Court was a necessary step both in regional and international context, noting that most countries in the Western Balkans already operate specialized administrative courts. Drini added that the establishment of the Court follows broader legislative reforms, including the adoption of the Law on General Administrative Procedure and the Law on Administrative Conflicts, whose effective implementation requires a specialized judicial institution dedicated to administrative matters.

The discussion reaffirmed the importance of continued judicial reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency, legal predictability, and investor confidence, while strengthening institutional accountability and the rule of law in Kosovo.