As part of the interim benchmarks for negotiation chapter 23, Montenegro committed to adopting and implementing the new national strategy for judicial reform (2013-2018) along with its accompanying action plan. Furthermore, Montenegro pledged to continually assess the impact of various measures through a monitoring mechanism and implement corrective actions as needed. The Justice Reform Strategy 2014-2018 was ratified in early April 2014, followed by the adoption of the Action Plan for its execution covering the period 2014-2016 at the end of July. Subsequently, in October of the same year, the Council for monitoring the implementation of the Strategy was established. Despite the continuity in strategic goals from the previous strategy, a significant overlap in strategic directives suggests that the fundamental objectives of the reform were not fully realized. Consequently, there was a need to chart a course for their attainment in the ensuing four-year period.