Terms of Reference for the Justice Committee (JUKO) of the Cantonal Council of Solothurn (JUKO)

1. The Judicial Commission (JUKO) oversees the administration of the judicial authorities of the canton and the district clerk's offices (see KRG § 49 and annex to GR). It specifically examines their business reports.

1. The Supervision of the JUKO is guided by the following criteria

a) Legality (Conformity with the Constitution and the Law);

b) Appropriateness (Suitability of measures taken, efficiency regarding the resources utilized, organizational and leadership structures);

c) Goal Compliance (Alignment with the mission statement or other political programs);

d) Effectiveness (Effectiveness of legislation and administrative activities).

1. The JUKO deals with individual administrative files only to derive general insights.

1. Each year, individual departments are subject to an in-depth examination.

1. The JUKO has no directive authority.

2. The JUKO may report to the council on its findings at any time and submit motions (see KRG § 49 para. 2).

3. The JUKO may submit parliamentary initiatives (see GR § 79 para. 1), make recommendations in its reports, and conduct follow-up checks to verify whether these recommendations have been implemented (see KRG § 50 paras. 2 and 3).

1. The JUKO, as a specialist commission, has the following tasks in particular (see KV Art. 72 para. 2, KRG § 16 para. 1 and GR § 30)

a) Preliminary examination of matters within its domain (see annex to GR) or those assigned to it by the council leadership;

b) Regular monitoring of social and political developments in its subject areas both within and outside the canton;

c) Development of suggestions and proposals for solving problems in its subject areas;

d) Participation in the preparation of important state treaties and concordats in its subject areas, which are subject to the approval of the Cantonal Council.

1. In election matters, the commission evaluates the candidates and submits election proposals to the council.

2. If the commission considers the result of a call for applications to be insufficient, it may request the position to be re-advertised or propose to the council the appointment by way of appeal (see GR § 65 paragraphs 2 and 3).

1. If the Committee on Youth does not consider itself competent to handle a specific matter, it shall report accordingly to the Council's leadership and submit a justified request for its assignment to another commission.

1. The JUKO may

a) request additional reports and documents;

b) with the consent of the department head, question administrative officers about the matter;

c) conduct site visits;

d) carry out inspections;

e) with the consent of the Council leadership, consult external experts.

1. For the release from official secrecy, KRG § 32 applies. In the case of disagreements, the JUKO may insist on a request for access to records (see KRG § 32 para. 4).

1. Whoever gains knowledge of statements or acts that are subject to official secrecy is, in turn, bound to uphold the official secrecy (see KRG § 34).

1. The JUKO constitutes itself (see GR § 21 para. 2).

1. The President of the JUKO, in consultation with the parliamentary services, prepares a meeting schedule for at least half a year.

1. The provisions of §§ 41 and 43 et seq. of the Rules of Procedure apply mutatis mutandis to the commission negotiations (see RP § 23).

2. The obligation to recuse oneself is governed by RPC § 27.

1. Representation is only permissible if a commission member is unable to attend commission meetings for an extended period (see GR § 20).

1. The first point of contact for the JUKO is the government council.

2. If the commission wishes to meet without the responsible head of department, it shall inform him of this in a timely manner.

1. An inspection is generally to be announced to the responsible department head (cf. KRG § 50 para. 1).

1. If the JUKO identifies deficiencies or wishes to make recommendations, it provides the head of the relevant department with an opportunity to comment before concluding the discussions (see KRG § 50 para. 2).

1. The Juvenile Court (JUKO) usually convenes in non-public sessions. Its meetings are not accessible to other council members (see KRG § 17).

1. The JUKO may establish committees (see GR § 23 para. 3). These committees have the same rights to information as the full commission.

1. The JUKO informs the other oversight commissions (GPK, FIKO) about findings that affect their areas of activity (see KRG § 51).

1. The presidents of the other supervisory commissions shall be provided with all minutes. Exceptions apply to minutes concerning commission negotiations that are subject to official secrecy (cf. GR § 27 para. 3).

2. Proposals or matters with financial implications are to be referred to the FIKO along with the minutes and the commission's motions, and if necessary, with an explanatory report (cf. GR § 31).

3. Drafts of constitutions, laws, and ordinances are to be referred to the editing commission before being addressed in the council (cf. GR § 32).

1. The Commission shall report to the Council in writing or verbally.

2. The written reports and applications must be delivered to the Council members and the Government Council at least ten days before the session (see GR § 25).

1. The President of the Commission or the spokesperson designated by the Commission may orally supplement the written reports during the Council debate if necessary.

1. The Youth Commission (JUKO) may submit an application to the Council (see GR § 43 ff.)

a) not to enter into the matter;

b) to enter into the matter, but to reject the proposal;

c) to enter into the matter and accept the proposal without changes;

d) to enter into the matter and accept the proposal with specific amendments.

1. The JUKO periodically informs the public about its activities (see KRG § 18).

2. The President of the Commission is responsible for the preparation of press releases and the organization of press conferences.

1. Press releases are to be delivered to the media through the parliamentary services.

2. The parliamentary services may consolidate the communications of several committees.

1. If a press conference is organized, the government must be informed.

1. The Specification Document of the JUKO dated October 26, 1977, is repealed.

1. This Specification Document shall come into effect on January 1, 1992.