1 December 2015

European Day of Justice 2015

Report of events organised in the

Council of Europe member States

Objectives

By the joint organisation of the European Day of Justice, the European Commission and the Council of Europe support initiatives which aim to bring justice closer to citizens. This Day represents an opportunity to inform citizens of their rights and offer them a better understanding of the functioning of the judicial systems through events organised mainly by courts. On this occasion, the work of the European Commission for the efficiency of justice (CEPEJ) and of the European Commission is highlighted as a real support for justice professionals.

Support

The Council of Europe has sent documentation as well as pens, notepads and document wallets on request. The CEPEJ posted events on dedicated web pages.

The European Commission has put the poster of the 2015 edition of the European Day of Justice at the disposal of its member States (in 23 languages).

Events by country

The main event of the 2015 edition of the European Day of Justice to which representatives of the CEPEJ of the Council of Europe took part has been organised on 23 October 2015 in Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina), organised in the framework of the Chairmanship of Bosnia and Herzegovina of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. On this occasion, the Price awarding ceremony of the Crystal Scales of Justice Prize has been organised by the Council of Europe.

The ten following countries organised special events in the framework of the European Day of Justice:

Austria: Court of Appeal in Vienna, "Open Day" on October 26

Azerbaijan

For the first time in the history, the court system has been opened- two court complexes: Sabunchu Court Complex (21 October 2015) and Sheki Court Complex (5 November 2015), which cover more than 11 regional courts and justice institutions (bailiffs, forensic center, registration center). The aim of opening these complexes was to improve the effiency of access to courts. The BI part of the e-court system has been introduced; it increases the efficiency of electronic management of court system. Open days have also been organized for citizens and students in these court complexes. During the design of these court complexes, the benefit from the CEPEJ Guidelines on the organisation and accessibility of court premises has been used.

Bosnia and Herzegovina:

- Cantonal Court, Novi Travnik, 30 October 2015: open dorrs at Court

- Banja Luka, 23 October 2015, Roundtable "How to improve day-to-day functioning of courts towards a more efficient justice ? in the framework of the European Day of Justice. Followed by the Crystal Scales of Justice Prize awarding ceremony

Republic of Moldova:

From 23 to 27 October 2015:

- All courts had open days (visits from students)

- In several schools seminars has been rganised  with the participation of judges

- On the TV Channel Moldova 1 "Vectorul European", public debates will be organised on the theme: The current situation in the field of justice: successes, challenges, the trust of citizen in the justice system, the interaction of the justice system with the civil society.

Germany:

30 October 2015 in Karlsruhe, simulation of procedure and workshops at the Oberlandsgericht

Italy:

- European Day of civil justice in Ferrara on 4 November 2015

- Conference in Florence on 30 October 2015 organised by the University of Florence and the High School of magistrates. [it]

- Milan: La Tutela Del Credito e la cooperazione giudiziaria in Europa - Tribunale di Milano - Aula Magna – on 30 October 2015

Lithuania:

Celebrating the European Day of Justice the competition of children paintings „Court protects humans“ was organized in all the regional courts and was intended for pupils of 6-8 grade. During the whole October children drew in their paintings, how they see judges, courts, court life and what justice means to them.

The final event took place on 27th October, 2015 at the Court of Appeal of Lithuania, where the painter Inga Dargužiene commented on the paintings and the authors of most original paintings were awarded.

In the event with judges, teachers, pupils and their parents the participated in the game “Brain-battle” game and the interactive performance was played with pupils.

Link to the paintings.

It should be noted, that celebrating the day of Constitution and the European Day of Justice lots of educational events took place in courts of Lithuania – employees of courts checked on the knowledge of bypassers on the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, open days in courts for pupils and students where organized, where pupils and students could meet with judges and have discussions with them.

Romania:

The Superior Council of Magistracy celebrated the European Day of Justice on 23 October 2015 by organising open day at courts and in the Superior Council of Magistracy.

Serbia:

- “Judges’ Days -2015”, Vrnjacka Banja, 14-17 October 2015 (The Judiciary Today / Laws and Their Implementation / Current Controversial Issues Raised in the Court’s Practice)

Slovenia:

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Slovenia has in collaboration with the Association of deaf and hearing-impaired of Slovenia prepared a video guide in Slovenian sign language on the rights of deaf and hearing-impaired as well as blind and sight-impaired people in court proceedings

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