Hosted by the Siracusa International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights and organised in cooperation with the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN), the third edition of the Judges@Europe Forum started yesterday in Siracusa, Italy. This event is a unique training opportunity, designed to offer Judges from EU Member States a safe and confidential environment to enhance their skills, share insights and address challenges in a supportive setting.
Judges, policymakers, and practitioners gathered to strengthen justice systems, promote the rule of law, and uphold the principles of impartiality and fairness in a rapidly changing world. Cases from the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights were highlighted during the opening sessions, introducing this year’s central theme of impartiality.
The agenda covers a range of crucial issues, such as the principle of equality of arms in adversarial proceedings, which highlights the importance of balanced representation in the judiciary. Other discussions will address the issue of political participation of judges, balancing judicial neutrality with civic responsibility.
The impact of digitalisation on judicial decision-making is also examined, assessing how technology affects impartiality in the courtroom. Mediation and conciliation are presented as alternative routes to justice, alongside critical analysis of AI algorithms, profiling, and the wider impact of technology on access to justice.
Through a combination of keynote speeches, interactive breakout sessions, and open discussions, participants will seek to identify practical solutions, promote mutual understanding, and reinforce the foundations of judicial independence and collaboration.
The President of the Siracusa International Institute, Jean-François Thony, said in his opening speech: “The mission of the Siracusa International Institute is to provide a space for dialogue in a neutral and independent environment. The Institute has a long-standing expertise in judicial capacity development. We are very proud to welcome colleagues from all over Europe”.
The organization of the Forum was made possible with contributions from EJTN members, including the General Council of the Judiciary (Spain), the National Institute of Magistracy (Romania), the Bundesamt für Justiz (Germany), the Ministry of Justice (Slovenia), the Belgian Judicial Training Institute, and the Academy of European Law (ERA), represented by Viktor Vadász.
The Institute also extends its gratitude to the European Commission for its support in funding this initiative.
