The 2023 European "Crystal Scales of Justice" Prize, organised by the Council of Europe in order to reward innovative judicial practices within European judicial institutions, was awarded on 4 October 2023 in Paris (France) to the Cyprus Judicial Training School and “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center (Cyprus), represented by Mr Erotocritou, Director of the School and Mrs Neocleous, Executive Director of Hope for Children. The ceremony took place in the presence of Mr Eric Dupond-Moretti, Minister of Justice (France), Mr. Pap Ndiaye, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of France to the Council of Europe and Mr Christophe Poirel, Director of Human Rights of the Council of Europe. Members of the jury of the competition, which was composed of prominent personalities in the field of justice, were also at the ceremony to explain the jury’s choice. The Ministry of Justice of France, winner of the last edition of the Prize (2021), hosted the event.

The project “Kids in Court Game (KiCGame)” [Explanation] consists of four different games designed to prepare children psychologically and emotionally to testify in court as witnesses.

Two special mentions were also awarded to the two following projects:

• “Facility Dogs Europe – FYDO”, Victim Support Europe, Belgium, France, Italy;
•  “Civil and criminal chamber specialised in environmental and urbanism matters”, Court of appeal of Mons, Belgium.

The Crystal Scales of Justice Prize is organized by the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) and aims to highlight European best practices within European judicial systems. For this year’s edition, 48 projects from 17 countries were submitted, focusing in particular on access to justice, the protection of victims, and digitalization of justice.

The representatives of the awarded projects will be invited to present them at the CEPEJ plenary meeting in early December 2023.

The awarded projects of the Crystal Scales of Justice Prize will also serve as research subjects for Masters students of law faculties, in Council of Europe member states or in those with observer status to the CEPEJ, who wish to participate in the third edition of the Junior Crystal Scales of Justice Prize, which will be launched in October 2023.