Strasbourg, 15 December 2017

CEPEJ(2017)10

EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR THE EFFICIENCY OF JUSTICE

(CEPEJ)

2018 - 2019 Activity Programme of the CEPEJ

1.      The Committee of Ministers has entrusted the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (hereafter “CEPEJ”) with the mission of working with member States to promote effective implementation of Council of Europe instruments concerning the organisation of judicial systems, promoting justice as an efficient public service functioning with quality and taking the users of the justice system into account, and helping to disencumber the European Court of Human Rights by offering member States effective solutions prior to legal proceedings, preventing violations of Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

2.      Under Article 2 of its Statute, contained in the Committee of Ministers’ Resolution Res(2002)12, the CEPEJ is required to:

§  examine the results achieved by the different judicial systems, using common statistical criteria and means of evaluation;

§  analyse problems and areas for possible improvements, and

§  identify concrete ways of improving the evaluation and functioning of member States’ judicial systems, regard being had to the specific needs of each state.

3.      The “independence and efficiency of justice” remains among the core priorities of the Organisation. This programme is part of the "Rule of Law" pillar of the 2018-2019 programme of the Council of Europe. This text constitutes the general basis of the various tasks assigned to the CEPEJ.

 

4.      The CEPEJ’s activity contributes to the implementation of the “Council of Europe Plan of Action on Strengthening Judicial Independence and Impartiality” adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 13 April 2016 following the report by the Secretary General “on the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe”.

5.      This programme is designed around six areas of responsibility vested in the CEPEJ :

§  developing tools for analysing the functioning of justice and ensuring that public policies of justice are geared towards greater efficiency and quality,

§  obtaining an in-depth knowledge of the timeframes of proceedings for reaching optimum and foreseeable judicial time,

§  promoting quality of judicial systems and courts,

§  developing targeted co-operation at the request of a member or partner State,

§  strengthening relations with users of the justice system, as well as national and international bodies,

§  promoting among the stakeholders in the member or partner States the implementation of the measures and the use of the tools designed by the CEPEJ.

6.      It includes co-operation programmes (including Joint programmes with the European Union) for promoting the concrete implementation of CEPEJ methodology and tools by justice decision-makers and in courts, as CEPEJ’s own activities. Such activities offer a genuine added value in the field of justice to the member States and non-member States seeking for closer co-operation with the Council of Europe.

7.      Where appropriate, the activities will be carried out in co-operation with the relevant Council of Europe committees, as well as the observers to the CEPEJ.

8.      The activity programme is implemented according to available budgetary resources (ordinary budget and other budgetary resources), under the CEPEJ’s overall authority, in accordance with the responsibilities laid down in Resolution Res(2002)12. Within its responsibilities, the CEPEJ Bureau prepares the ground for this work and puts forward guidelines.

General responsibilities of CEPEJ	Specific objectives	Tasks	Means
Developing tools for analysing the functioning of justice and ensuring that public policies of justice are geared towards greater efficiency and quality	To have a detailed knowledge of European judicial systems and the evolution of the day-to-day functioning of the court system, in order to facilitate the reform process in the member States and beyond	Implementation of the 2016 – 2018 evaluation cycle in the member States and volunteer observer States (including Israel and Morocco) Preparation and adoption of the evaluation report of judicial systems (Edition 2018) including specific issues (court users, gender issues within the judiciary) and the enrichment of the CEPEJ-STAT data base Promotion of the 2018 evaluation report	5 meetings of CEPEJ-GT-EVAL 2 meetings of the Network of national correspondents Ad hoc visits of a delegation CEPEJ-GT-EVAL / Secretariat in some member States (5 maximum) where difficulties have been highlighted on the data provided. Participation of CEPEJ's representatives in various fora to introduce the 2018 report Technical adaptation of CEPEJ-COLLECT and CEPEJ-STAT Peer evaluation visits (5) - with 3 experts 4 plenary meetings of CEPEJ Voluntary contributions of the volunteer observer states Specific co-operation programmes in collaboration with other partners (including EU) Specific cooperation programmes (including in cooperation with other partners, i.a. EU)
		In-depth analysis of the 2018 Report to draw conclusions and recommendations on several topical issues for the efficiency and quality of justice
		Launching of the 2018 – 2020 evaluation cycle: adaptation of the electronic Scheme (CEPEJ-COLLECT), information of the national correspondents
		Implementation of the peer review co-operation process on judicial statistics in at least 5 states
		Evaluation of the functioning of judicial systems in member and partner States, from the CEPEJ methodology
	To strengthen mutual confidence between the justice systems of EU member States, including as regards the efficiency and quality of the systems	Co-operation with the European Commission through the annual preparation, based on the CEPEJ methodology for evaluating judicial systems, of the Study on the functioning of judicial systems to be used for the production of the "EU Justice Scoreboard"	Funding by the EC (200.000 €/year) – this funding is ensured until 31 March 2021 5 meetings of CEPEJ-GT-EVAL Participation of CEPEJ's  members, experts and Secretariat in EU meetings Participation of EU bodies (EC, Council, EP) in CEPEJ's meetings, in particular GT-EVAL
Having an in-depth knowledge of the timeframes of proceedings for reaching optimum and foreseeable judicial time	To develop tools for supporting the courts in achieving optimum and foreseeable judicial timeframes	Implementation of the  "strategic plan for the SATURN Centre" acting as a permanent Observatory of lengths of proceedings: - data collection, continuous improvement of data collected, analysis of data collected, - adoption of guidelines and standards relating to judicial timeframes, including the weighting of cases - dissemination of the standards and information relating to judicial timeframes, - active promotion of the use of judicial time management tools, including court dashboards, - support to the implementation by the courts of SATURN judicial time management tools	4 meetings of the Steering group of the SATURN Centre 3 to 4 scientific experts Co-operation with the Network of pilot courts Co-operation with the ECtHR Registry and the Department for the execution of judgements Co-operation with CEPEJ-GT-EVAL and CEPEJ-GT-QUAL 4 plenary meetings of CEPEJ
	To promote the implementation of the  SATURN tools and guidelines within courts	Implementation of the court coaching programme on judicial time management in volunteer European courts Implementation of tailor-made large scale programmes for supporting the implementation of SATURN tools in a large number of courts	Support to the volunteer courts for organising the programme (including translation of relevant documents); scientific experts made available to the volunteer courts; reports provided by the courts Co-operation with the Network of pilot courts Specific co-operation programmes in co-operation with other partners (namely EU) in member and partner states and entities (including Albania, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Kosovo*, Morocco, Tunisia) including in particular: -     evaluation of the situation of case flow management in courts, -     expert support to pilot courts, -     training of judicial staff (including training of trainers) -     participation of the partners in the CEPEJ multilateral activities
Promoting quality of judicial systems and courts	To improve the efficiency of access to justice for the court users	Development of specific tools for improving access to justice, in particular at the court level Participation in fora on access to justice	4 meetings of CEPEJ-GT-QUAL Scientific experts 4 plenary meetings of CEPEJ Co-operation with the Network of pilot courts
	To face the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and predictive justice	Publication of a report (or other tools) on the use of artificial intelligence and the development of predictive justice and the limits which should apply to its use having regard in particular to Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights Participation and organisation of fora on artificial intelligence in judicial systems	4 meetings of CEPEJ-GT-QUAL Scientific experts 4 plenary meetings of CEPEJ Co-operation with the Network of pilot courts CEPEJ Conference
	To support the evolution of judicial systems towards cyberjustice	Preparation of an implementation guide and in-depth review of electronic case management systems	2 meetings of CEPEJ-GT-QUAL Scientific experts 2 plenary meetings of CEPEJ Co-operation with the Network of pilot courts
	To supporting the courts in improving their communication and then strengthening public trust in their justice system	Development of specific tools on the use of new technologies and tools to communicate with the media and the public, including in situation of crisis	2 meetings of CEPEJ-GT-QUAL Scientific experts 2 plenary meetings of CEPEJ Co-operation with the Network of pilot courts
	To be able to measure the impact of the quality of the law on the functioning of justice	Development of specific tools to measure the impact of the quality of the law on the functioning of justice	2 meetings of CEPEJ-GT-QUAL Scientific experts 2 plenary meetings of CEPEJ Co-operation with the Network of pilot courts
	To develop the evaluation of the activity of judges through a qualitative framework	Development of specific tools on the evaluation of the activity of judges	2 meetings of CEPEJ-GT-QUAL Scientific experts 2 plenary meetings of CEPEJ Co-operation with the Network of pilot courts and the CCJE
	To measure the perception that users have of their judicial system	Implementation of the court coaching programme for measuring the users' satisfaction as regards the public service provided by European courts Analysis of the information collected through satisfaction surveys Implementation of tailor-made programmes to promote court users satisfaction surveys in a large number of courts	Support to the volunteer  courts for organising the programme (including translation of relevant documents); scientific experts made available to the volunteer courts for organising the surveys and analysing the results; reports provided by the courts Co-operation with the Network of pilot courts Specific co-operation programmes in co-operation with other partners (namely EU) to support the implementation of court users satisfaction surveys and the analysis of the subsequent results
	To strengthen the use of mediation within the judicial system	Strengthening the existing documents and drafting of new tools aimed at facilitating the implementation of the Council of Europe’s recommendations in the field of mediation and more widely the use of mediation within the judicial systems of the member and partner States	4 meetings of CEPEJ-GT-MED Scientific experts 4 plenary meetings of CEPEJ Cooperation programmes together with other partners (including EU)
Developing targeted co-operation at the request of one or more states	To provide guidance for improving the organisation of judicial systems and courts in some member and partner States	Use of CEPEJ methodology and tools in implementing Council of Europe co-operation programmes for judicial reforms Answer to punctual requests by member and observer States regarding the organisation of their judicial systems Strengthening the pool of CEPEJ experts prepared to participate in co-operation activities	CEPEJ members and experts participating in Council of Europe co-operation activities 2 training sessions for CEPEJ experts 2 working meetings of CEPEJ experts
Strengthening relations with users of the justice system and with national and international bodies	To bring the justice system closer to the European citizens	Organisation by the Council of Europe of the European Day of Justice (annual) Organisation by the Council of Europe of the European Prize: “Crystal Scales of Justice” (biennial)	Annual promotion of the European Day of Justice to national institutions and organisation of the flagship event (October 25) Call for nominations for the Crystal Scales of Justice, organisation of the jury, jury meeting (9 members), awards ceremony Website
	To facilitate the understanding of, and access to, the CEPEJ’s work	Publication of a glossary of the definition of the main concepts used by the CEPEJ Organisation of the electronic presentation of the CEPEJ’s work according to a logical way aimed at the stakeholders(“Benchbook”)	2 meetings of the ad hoc working group Internet site
	To contribute to the debate and provide a forum for the legal community	Provision of specific CEPEJ expertise to other Council of Europe bodies Provision of CEPEJ’s specific expertise to the European Union Provision of specific expertise to a wider legal public Development of the CEPEJ Innovation Centre for best practices as regards court management	Participation of CEPEJ’s representatives in the work of the CDCJ and the Venice Commission on justice and in relevant meetings of the CCJE, CCPE, CDPC and CDDH Participation of CEPEJ’s representatives in the EU Justice Forum and in working groups Development of the CEPEJ web site
	To promote relations with other national and international bodies competent in the field of justice	Active participation of CEPEJ members and experts in the implementation of the Council of Europe co-operation programmes for judicial reforms Support to academic research and teaching Provision to member States and the European legal community of wide-ranging information on the operation of justice in Europe Development by CEPEJ representatives and the Secretariat of regular dialogue with national authorities, other relevant Council of Europe’s bodies and committees the European Commission and other international bodies	CEPEJ members and experts participating in Council of Europe co-operation activities Support for theses of a European nature concerning the organisation of justice Participation of CEPEJ members/experts in training sessions Continue developing the CEPEJ web site and the CEPEJ Newsletter CEPEJ presence on social networks CEPEJ’s Representation in other fora
Promoting the implementation of the measures and the use of the tools designed by the CEPEJ	To ensure a good knowledge of the CEPEJ’s measures and tools by the stakeholders in the central administrations and among the justice professionals	Active participation of CEPEJ members and experts in the implementation of the Council of Europe co-operation programmes for judicial reforms Translation of CEPEJ’s documents in non-official languages Dissemination of CEPEJ’s documents among justice professionals and in judicial training institutions Awareness raising within the ministries of justice and other relevant political bodies (parliaments, …) Evaluation of the impact of CEPEJ’s documents	CEPEJ members and experts participating in Council of Europe co-operation activities "Organisation of "Gatherings around CEPEJ" in member States to introduce and discuss CEPEJ tools Continue developing the CEPEJ web site and the CEPEJ Newsletter CEPEJ presence on social networks

Appendix I

1.         Tasks

In accordance with article 7.2.b of Appendix 1 to Resolution Res(2002)12, and under the authority of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ), the Working Group on evaluation of judicial systems (CEPEJ-GT-EVAL) is instructed to implement the common tool set up by the CEPEJ which aims at evaluating in an objective manner the functioning of the judicial systems in Europe.

In order to fulfil its tasks, the CEPEJ-GT-EVAL shall in particular:

a.       determine and follow the implementation of the 2016 – 2018 evaluation cycle of the European judicial systems, including the national judicial data collection and processing and prepare the draft evaluation report to be forwarded to the 30th plenary meeting of the CEPEJ;

 

b.       organise ad hoc visits to certain member States where lacuna have been noted in data provided;

c.       pursue the development of the interactive CEPEJ-STAT data base;

d.       ensure the proper information and communication regarding the Edition 2018 of the Report and assess the impact of the Report in the member States;

e.       make proposals for appropriate exploitation of the results achieved through the evaluation exercise (Report “European judicial systems – Edition 2018”), in particular as regards the development and the use of the main court performance indicators (namely the clearance rate and the disposition time), identify trends as well as typical dysfunctions of the judicial systems in Europe;

f.        initiate, follow and approve studies using the report “European judicial systems – Edition 2018”, with a view to publishing them in the Series “CEPEJ Studies”;

g.       organise the 2018 – 2020 cycle for evaluating European judicial systems, by advising in due time the national correspondents, organising the concrete modalities for data collection and processing as well as anticipating the structure and the outline of the next Report so as to guide the data processing;

h.       coordinate and supervise the drafting of the CEPEJ Study supporting the annual publication of the “EU Justice Scoreboard”, consisting in collecting and analysing data on the functioning of the judicial systems of the EU Member States, following the established CEPEJ methodology;

i.         organise the implementation of the pilot peer review co-operation process on judicial statistics, analyse the conclusions of this process and, where appropriate, make recommendations aiming to:

-           support member States in improving the quality of their judicial statistics and developing their statistics system,

-           facilitate the exchange of experiences between national judicial statistics systems,

-           sharing good practices, identifying benchmarks and facilitating knowledge transfer,

-           contribute to ensuring the transparency and accountability of the CEPEJ process for evaluating European judicial systems and to improving the process;

j.         promote the CEPEJ Guidelines on judicial statistics (GOJUST) in the member States, in particular among the national correspondents, so as to strengthen the collection of homogenous data in view of the next evaluation cycles;

k.       contribute to the implementation of the relevant co-operation programmes;

l.         set up and develop, in co-operation with the CEPEJ-GT-QUAL and the Steering group of the SATURN Centre, tools and indicators for measuring the performance of justice systems and courts while safeguarding the principle of the independence of justice.

2.         Composition

The CEPEJ-GT-EVAL shall be composed of 6 members of the CEPEJ or experts, as well as possibly 2 deputy members, proposed by member States through the CEPEJ members and appointed by the CEPEJ Bureau, with an in-depth knowledge in the field of the evaluation of judicial systems. Their travel and subsistence expenses are to be borne by the budget of the Council of Europe. Other experts appointed by the member States might participate in its work, at their own expenses.

The relevant Council of Europe and European Union bodies may be represented to the CEPEJ-GT-EVAL without the right to vote or defrayal of expenses.

The non-governmental organisations granted observer status with the CEPEJ may be invited by the Bureau to participate in the work of the CEPEJ-GT-EVAL, on a case-by-case basis, if the Bureau considers their attendance relevant for the quality of the work.

3.         Working structures and methods

The CEPEJ-GT-EVAL will organise 5 meetings and evaluation visits can be organised in some member States (subject to budgetary availability).

In carrying out its terms of reference, it may in particular seek the advice of the Network of national correspondents entrusted with the coordination of the answers to the evaluation Scheme.

It will also coordinate its work with other relevant CEPEJ's working groups (namely the Steering Group of the SATURN Centre and CEPEJ-GT-QUAL)

It may also seek the advice of external experts and have recourse to studies by consultants.

4.         Duration

These terms of reference expire on 31 December 2019.

Appendix II

1.         Tasks

The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice acts as a Centre for judicial time management (SATURN^[1] Centre) aimed at collecting specific information necessary for achieving a sufficiently detailed knowledge of judicial timeframes in the member States enabling them to implement policies aiming to prevent violations of the right to a fair trial within a reasonable time as protected by Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Centre shall in particular:

a.                as a European Observatory of judicial timeframes, analyse the quantitative and qualitative situation regarding time management in European courts (case-flow management, timeframes per types of cases, waiting times within proceedings, etc.);

b.              provide member States with tools for knowledge and analysis of case-flows, backlogs and timeframes of judicial proceedings, in particular as regards case weighting and through the setting up of dashboards;

c.                  promote and assess the implementation in the member States and ensure the updating of the SATURN Guidelines for judicial time management and other relevant CEPEJ's tools;

d.      contribute to the implementation of the relevant co-operation programmes.

The Centre is managed through a Steering group, established in accordance with article 7.2.b of Appendix 1 to Resolution Res(2002)12, under the authority of the CEPEJ.

In order to implement the "Strategic plan for the SATURN Centre" (CEPEJ-SATURN(2011)5), the Steering group shall in particular:

·         periodically collect data on procedural times in member States at national and regional level, for all types of proceedings (civil, criminal and administrative) and for all courts (first instance, appeal and supreme courts);

·         verify the completeness and quality of the data collected in order to make improvements;

·         analyse the data collected and collate them with the principles relating to procedural times derived from the case law of the European Court of Human Rights;

·         define guidelines and standards relating to procedural times:

-     for all state organs concerned with justice: legislators, bodies vested with the administration of justice, court managers, judges, prosecutors, police officers;

-     for all types of proceedings (civil, criminal and administrative);

-     for all courts (first instance, appeal and supreme courts);

·         disseminate in member States the guidelines, the standards and the results of analysis of the data collected;

§  promote the use of judicial time management tools, particularly those developed by the SATURN Centre, in all member States to enable them to make their own analysis of the situation regarding judicial timeframes in their courts and apply their own remedies to any excessive procedural delays;

§  undertake within the member States most concerned by questions of procedural delays, and with their agreement, targeted actions to improve their situation (preventive or proactive measures) by implementing judicial time management tools in those countries;

·         rely on appropriate networks allowing the integration in the work and considerations of the judicial community, in particular on the network of pilot courts within the member States, to draw on innovative projects aimed at reducing and adjusting the timeframes operated by courts in member States;

·         organise and implement the court coaching programme (on a volunteer basis) for the effective use of the CEPEJ's tools and guidelines, on the basis of the relevant SATURN Handbook (CEPEJ-SATURN(2011)9).

2.         Composition

The Steering group shall be composed of 6 members of the CEPEJ or experts, as well as possibly 2 deputy members, proposed by member States through the CEPEJ members and appointed by the CEPEJ Bureau, with an in-depth knowledge in the field of judicial timeframes. Their travel and subsistence expenses will be borne by the budget of the Council of Europe. Other experts appointed by the member States might participate in its work, at their own expenses.

The relevant Council of Europe and European Union bodies may be represented on the Steering group without the right to vote or defrayal of expenses.

The non-governmental organisations granted observer status with the CEPEJ may be invited by the Bureau to participate in the work of the Steering group, on a case-by-case basis, if the Bureau considers their attendance relevant for the quality of the work.

3.         Working structures and methods

The Centre will hold 4 meetings (subject to budgetary availability).

In carrying out its terms of reference, the Steering group shall cooperate with the CEPEJ Network of Pilot courts. It will also coordinate its work with other relevant CEPEJ's working groups (namely the CEPEJ-GT-EVAL and the CEPEJ-GT-QUAL).

It may also seek the advice of external experts and have recourse to studies by consultants.

4.         Duration

These terms of reference expire on 31 December 2019.

Appendix III

1.         Tasks

In accordance with article 7.2.b of Appendix 1 to Resolution Res(2002)12, and under the authority of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ), the Working Group on quality of justice (CEPEJ-GT-QUAL) is instructed to develop means of analysis and evaluation of the work carried out within the courts with a view to improving, in the member States, the quality of the public service delivered by the justice system, in particular vis-à-vis the expectations of the justice practitioners and users, according to performance and efficiency criteria meeting a large consensus.

In order to fulfil its tasks, the CEPEJ-GT-QUAL shall in particular, while observing the principle of independence of judges:

a.            improve tools, indicators and means for measuring the quality of judicial work and the way in which this service is perceived by the users;

b.            develop tools to improve access to justice for the court users, particularly at the level of individual courts;

c.            explore ways to deal with the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and predictive justice;

d.            accompany the evolution of judicial systems towards cyberjustice;

e.            support courts to improve their communication and build public confidence in their justice system, including in crisis situations;

f.             contribute to the measurement of the impact of the quality of the law on the functioning of justice;

g.            study ways of developing the evaluation of judges' activities from a qualitative angle, without infringing their independence;

h.            promote among courts the effective implementation of the Handbook for court users satisfaction surveys and analyse the results of such surveys and organise and implement the subsequent court coaching programme (on a volunteer basis);

i.              develop other measures and tools enabling to improve the quality of the public service of justice implemented by the member States, taking into account, in particular, the Checklist for promoting the quality of justice and the courts (CEPEJ(2008)2);

j.              promote the proper translation and dissemination of the CEPEJ's relevant tools and measures;

k.            contribute to the implementation of the relevant co-operation programmes.

2.         Composition

The CEPEJ-GT-QUAL shall be composed of 6 members of the CEPEJ or experts, as well as possibly 2 deputy members, proposed by member States through the CEPEJ members and appointed by the CEPEJ Bureau, with an in-depth knowledge in the field of operation of courts and analyse of judicial practice. Their travel and subsistence expenses will be borne by the budget of the Council of Europe. Other experts appointed by the member States might participate in its work, at their own expenses.

The relevant Council of Europe and European Union bodies may be represented to the CEPEJ-GT-QUAL without the right to vote or defrayal of expenses.

The non-governmental organisations granted observer status with the CEPEJ may be invited by the Bureau to participate in the work of the CEPEJ-GT-QUAL, on a case-by-case basis, if the Bureau considers their attendance relevant for the quality of the work.

3.         Working structures and methods

 

The CEPEJ-GT-QUAL will organise 4 meetings (subject to budgetary availability).

In carrying out its terms of reference, the CEPEJ-GT-QUAL shall cooperate with the CEPEJ Network of Pilot courts. It will also coordinate its work with other relevant CEPEJ's working groups (namely the CEPEJ-GT-EVAL and the Steering Group of the SATURN Centre)

It may also seek the advice of external experts and have recourse to studies by consultants.

4.         Duration

These terms of reference expire on 31 December 2019.

Appendix IV

1.         Tasks

Under the authority of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ), the Working Group on mediation (CEPEJ-GT-MED) is instructed to enable a better implementation of the Recommendations of the Committee of Ministers concerning mediation.

In order to fulfil its tasks, the CEPEJ-GT-MED shall in particular:

a.                       assess the impact in the States of the existing CEPEJ Guidelines on penal mediation (CEPEJ(2007)13), on family and civil mediation (CEPEJ(2007)14), and on alternatives to litigation between administrative authorities and private parties (CEPEJ(2007)15), and update these Guidelines, where appropriate ;

b.               draft, if appropriate, further tools aimed to ensure an effective implementation of existing  recommendations and guidelines in the field of mediation, in particular to facilitate access to mediation, raise the awareness of the judicial professions, raise the awareness of court users and the general public, develop training and qualification for mediation;

                                                                                                                       

c.      contribute, where appropriate, to the implementation of the relevant co-operation programmes.

2.         Composition

The CEPEJ-GT-MED shall be composed of 6 members of the CEPEJ or other experts, as well as possibly 2 deputy members, proposed by member States through the CEPEJ members and appointed by the CEPEJ Bureau, who have an in-depth knowledge in the field of mediation and other measures of alternative dispute resolution. Their travel and subsistence expenses will be borne by the budget of the Council of Europe. Other experts appointed by the member States might participate in its work, at their own expenses.

The relevant Council of Europe, in particular the European Committee on Legal Co‑operation (CDCJ), and European Union bodies might be represented to the CEPEJ-GT-MEDwithout the right to vote or defrayal expenses.

The non-governmental organisations granted observer status to the CEPEJ might be invited by the Bureau to participate in the work of the CEPEJ-GT-MED, on a case-by-case basis, if the Bureau considers their attendance relevant for the quality of the work.

3.         Working structures and methods

The CEPEJ-GT-MED will organise 4 meetings (subject to budgetary availability) .

In carrying out its terms of reference, the CEPEJ-GT-MED may seek the advice of external experts and have recourse to studies by consultants.

4.         Duration

These terms of reference expire on 31 December 2019.