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The monthly newsletter from the EJTN Secretariat / Le bulletin mensuel du Secrétariat du REFJ
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Pour la version française, veuillez faire défiler vers le bas de cet email |
- Save the date: 2026 EJTN General Assembly to take place on 18-19 June
- EJTN Sub-Working Groups held first meetings of the new mandate, elect conveners
- Championing gender equality in justice through a range of initiatives
- EJTN webinar series enhances the understanding of AI in the judiciary
- Applications open for the next series of EJTN Online Conversation Classes – apply by 22 April
- Next Steering Committee meeting to take place on 16-17 April in Brussels
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FROM THE EJTN SECRETARY GENERAL |
Dear all,
Judicial training plays an essential role in advancing gender equality in justice. While legal frameworks increasingly emphasise the principles of equality and non-discrimination, their true impact depends on how they are understood and applied in the daily work of justice practitioners.
Equipping judges, prosecutors, and court staff with the tools to recognise and address implicit bias, understand the structural dimensions of gender inequality, challenge stereotypes, and apply equality and human rights standards coherently is crucial in ensuring that the translation from theory to practice is consistent, informed, and fair.
Promoting gender equality through judicial training also contributes directly to a strong Rule of Law. After all, this core principle of justice is grounded in impartiality and equal protection. A judiciary that is well trained to address gender equality issues can better respond to the realities of our societies, while respecting fundamental legal principles.
I am proud that EJTN continues to highlight this important theme in its training and communication activities. This month, coinciding with International Women’s Day and the International Day of Women Judges, we gave the floor to some pioneering female leaders in justice. I want to express my sincere thanks to all those who participated in our campaign, including European Chief Prosecutor Laura Codruța Kövesi, or those who attended the special Lunchtime Webinar session tackling imposter syndrome. This work will continue next month at a conference organised by the Council of Europe on advancing gender equality through the training of judges and prosecutors.
The recent high-level judicial training conference organised by the European Commission in Nicosia once again demonstrated the importance of sustained dialogue and cooperation in shaping the future of justice. As these important discussions progress, including at the upcoming General Assembly in Cyprus, EJTN remains committed to playing a central role in defining the direction of European judicial training and ensuring that the Rule of Law and gender equality remain among the core principles guiding our work.
Ingrid Derveaux |
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Last month, at the European Commission conference in Nicosia, important discussions on the future of judicial training took place. EJTN was asked to lead two workshops for judges and prosecutors as well as court staff. The workshops provided a key opportunity for reflection and for identifying the next steps in the implementation of European Commission’s Judicial Training Strategy 2025-2030. A warm thank you to all EJTN member representatives who contributed with their insights and highlighted the role of EJTN in judicial training! |
UPCOMING APPLICATION DEADLINES |
For the following training activities: Misinformation, Fake News and the Judiciary: Defending the Rule of Law in the Digital Age AI for trainers: AI tools for learning design Medical liability and self-driving vehicles in the era of AI For a full list of EJTN training activities, visit the EJTN Online Training Catalogue |
LATEST FROM OUR ACTIVITIES |
Celebrating gender equality in justice
To highlight the importance of gender equality in justice, EJTN ran a social media campaign in connection with the International Women’s Day observed on 8 March.
Featuring contributions from high-level women in justice, the campaign underlined the links between judicial training, gender equality and the Rule of Law, while also showcasing personal insights and experiences.
Our sincere thanks to European Chief Prosecutor Laura Codruța Kövesi, Octavia Spineanu-Matei (Court of Justice of the European Union), Sophie Chaigneau (EJN-civil), Isabelle Pérignon (European Commission), Margreet Blaisse (SSR), Rea Limnatitou (Judicial Training School of Cyprus) and Ramona Strugariu (National Institute for Justice in the Republic of Moldova) for their contributions on this important topic.
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Advancing gender equality in justice through judicial training
Gender equality is an important issue across all sectors of society, including the justice system. Since 2024, the European Judicial Training Network has continuously strengthened its commitment to promoting gender equality across European justice systems and advancing women’s representation in justice through dedicated training activities. A special project on ‘Women in Justice and Gender Equality’, led by the EJTN Working Group on Judicial Training Methods, has been established as a coordinated forum to discuss these issues and develop training activities on this important topic.
In 2026, EJTN will continue to highlight gender equality issues through a number of training activities.
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EJTN Sub-Working Groups start new mandate, elect Conveners
From early February to early March, the four EJTN Sub-Working Groups held their first meetings under the 2026–2028 mandate, discussing key topics related to the upcoming training activities, the implementation of the European Commission’s Judicial Training Strategy 2025-2030, and more.
A key milestone of these first meetings was the election of the Conveners who will lead the work of each Sub-Working Group over the next three years. The elected conveners are:
Administrative Law: National Institute of Magistracy of Romania, represented by Judge Amelia Onisor
Civil Law: Hellenic National School of the Judiciary, represented by Presiding Judge Stylianos Bios
Criminal Justice: Scuola Superiore della Magistratura, represented by Judge Vincenzo Sgubbi
Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms: Judicial Training Centre of the Republic of Slovenia, represented by Blanka Javorac Zavrsek |
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Save the date: 2026 EJTN General Assembly
EJTN is pleased to inform that the next General Assembly will take place on 18-19 June in Lemesos, Cyprus.
The event will be hosted under the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU by the EJTN member the Cyprus National Training School. The official invitation and practical information to attend the event will follow in due time.
We look very much forward to welcoming our stakeholders at this annual key event! |
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Applications open for the next series of Online Conversation Classes
The next series of online conversation classes by the European Judicial Training Network will take place between 11 May 2026 and 17 July 2026. The classes, held via Zoom, are open to EU judges and prosecutors who are from member institutions of EJTN and who already speak a second language but would like to improve their conversation skills.
The deadline for applications is 22 April 2026. |
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EJTN joins high-level meeting on new rules on victims’ rights and the way forward
On 17 March, EJTN joined a high-level extended plenary meeting organised by the European Commission. The event, opened by European Commissioner Michael McGrath, gathered different stakeholder groups to discuss the new rules of the EU Directive in Victims’ rights. This revised Directive marks a crucial step forward in strengthening victims’ rights across the EU, placing victims’ interests and protection at its core.
EJTN was proud to contribute to last week’s discussions, which laid the groundwork for the effective implementation of the new rules. Ensuring that justice practitioners receive proper training will be key to transforming these commitments into practice. |
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EJTN webinar series enhances the understanding of AI in the judiciary
Last month, the European Judicial Training Network ran an insightful webinar series on Artificial Intelligence in the judiciary, building on the momentum created with an introductory webinar series that took place in 2025.
The three-part webinar series covered ethics and AI technologies, the opportunities and challenges of AI in legal practice, and the future of AI in legal decision-making. Each session, featuring renowned experts, highlighted separate but complementary angles to this important topic. |
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FROM OUR MEMBERS & OBSERVERS |
On 17 March, a group of 22 trainee judges, accompanied by Judge Maria Chassirtzoglou and Sophia Gerousi from the Hellenic School of the Judiciary, visited the EJTN headquarters in Brussels. The group was given a tour of EJTN’s new premises. They were also presented with an overview of the EJTN Exchange Programme and the legal training activities organised by EJTN. |
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We extend our sincere congratulations to Ola Holmén on his appointment as the new Director of the Swedish Judicial Training Academy at the beginning of this year. We look forward to a close and fruitful cooperation in support of judicial training! |
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European Commission Legal Service to hold its fourth annual conference
The applications for the fourth annual conference of the European Commission’s Legal Service are open until Friday 10 April, 18:00 (CEST).
This year’s conference, taking place on 17 April in Brussels and online, will focus on EU defence policy and on simplification as a potential driver of competitiveness. |
The Voice of the Child: helping fulfil the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child
The Voice of the Child project, led by the Center for International Legal Cooperation (CILC), held its International Conference on 26–27 March in Zeist, the Netherlands. The event gathered more than 115 participants. |
The digitalisation of justice discussed at a high-level conference
On 26-27 February, under the auspices of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union and organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the EJTN member Cyprus Judicial Training School, EJTN was represented at the high-level conference ‘European Judicial Training: Creating a Supportive Environment for DigitalJustice@2030’. |
- Réservez la date : l’Assemblée générale 2026 du REFJ aura lieu les 18 et 19 juin
- Les sous-groupes de travail du REFJ tiennent leurs premières réunions du nouveau mandat et élisent leurs coordinateurs
- Promouvoir l’égalité de genre dans la justice à travers une série d’initiatives
- Une série de webinaires du REFJ renforce la compréhension de l’IA au sein de la justice
- Ouverture des candidatures pour la prochaine série de cours de conversation en ligne du REFJ – date limite : 22 avril
- La prochaine réunion du Comité de pilotage se tiendra les 16 et 17 avril à Bruxelles
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MOT DE LA SECRÉTAIRE GÉNÉRALE |
Chers tous, chères toutes,
La formation judiciaire joue un rôle essentiel dans la promotion de l’égalité de genre au sein de la justice. Si les cadres juridiques mettent de plus en plus l’accent sur les principes d’égalité et de non-discrimination, leur impact réel dépend de la manière dont ces principes sont compris et appliqués dans le travail quotidien des professionnels de la justice.
Doter les juges, les procureurs et le personnel des juridictions des outils nécessaires pour reconnaître et traiter les biais implicites, comprendre les dimensions structurelles des inégalités de genre, remettre en question les stéréotypes et appliquer de manière cohérente les normes en matière d’égalité et de droits humains est essentiel pour garantir une mise en pratique fidèle, éclairée et équitable des principes théoriques.
La promotion de l’égalité de genre par le biais de la formation judiciaire contribue également directement à la solidité de l’État de droit. Ce principe fondamental de la justice repose en effet sur l’impartialité et l’égalité de protection. Une magistrature correctement formée aux enjeux de l’égalité de genre est mieux à même de répondre aux réalités de nos sociétés, tout en respectant les principes juridiques fondamentaux.
Je suis fière que le REFJ continue de mettre en avant cette thématique essentielle dans ses activités de formation et de communication. Ce mois-ci, à l’occasion de la Journée internationale des droits des femmes et de la Journée internationale des femmes juges, nous avons donné la parole à des femmes pionnières de la justice. Ce travail se poursuivra le mois prochain lors d’une conférence organisée par le Conseil de l’Europe sur la promotion de l’égalité de genre par la formation des juges et des procureurs.
La récente conférence de haut niveau sur la formation judiciaire organisée par la Commission européenne à Nicosie a une nouvelle fois démontré l’importance d’un dialogue et d’une coopération durables pour façonner l’avenir de la justice. À mesure que ces discussions importantes se poursuivent, notamment lors de la prochaine Assemblée générale à Chypre, le REFJ reste pleinement engagé à jouer un rôle central dans la définition des orientations de la formation judiciaire européenne et à veiller à ce que l’État de droit et l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes demeurent parmi les principes fondamentaux guidant notre action.
Ingrid Derveaux |
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Le mois dernier, lors de la conférence de la Commission européenne à Nicosie, d’importantes discussions ont eu lieu sur l’avenir de la formation judiciaire. Le REFJ a été invité à animer deux ateliers destinés aux juges et aux procureurs, ainsi qu’au personnel des juridictions. Ces ateliers ont constitué une occasion essentielle de réflexion et d’identification des prochaines étapes dans la mise en œuvre de la Stratégie de la Commission européenne pour la formation judiciaire 2025‑2030. Un grand merci à l’ensemble des représentants des membres du REFJ qui ont contribué par leurs analyses et mis en lumière le rôle du REFJ dans la formation judiciaire ! |
Pour les activités de formation suivantes : Misinformation, Fake News and the Judiciary: Defending the Rule of Law in the Digital Age AI for trainers: AI tools for learning design Medical liability and self-driving vehicles in the era of AI Pour une liste complète des échéances de candidature en avril, cliquez ici
Pour une liste complète des activités de formation, consultez le catalogue de formation en ligne du REFJ |
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