Thematic files
This part of the site is devoted to the thema studied by the CEPEJ.
Impact and lessons of the COVID-19 crisis as regards the efficiency of justice and the functioning of the judiciary
During the Covid19 pandemic, member States had to adapt to new circumstances. A compilation of measures was made by the CEPEJ at the beginning of the health crisis and is regularly updated. To guide States, the CEPEJ organised a meeting on 10 June 2020, in the framework of the Greek Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, on the impact and lessons of the COVID19 crisis as regards the efficiency of justice and the functioning of the judiciary, which led to the adoption of the "Declaration on lessons learnt and challenges faced by the judiciary during and after the COVID19 pandemic" (more information)
CEPEJ European Ethical Charter on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in judicial systems and their environment
The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) of the Council of Europe has adopted the first European text setting out ethical principles relating to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in judicial systems.
The Charter provides a framework of principles that can guide policy makers, legislators and justice professionals when they grapple with the rapid development of AI in national judicial processes.
The CEPEJ’s view as set out in the Charter is that the application of AI in the field of justice can contribute to improve the efficiency and quality and must be implemented in a responsible manner which complies with the fundamental rights guaranteed in particular in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Personal Data. For the CEPEJ, it is essential to ensure that AI remains a tool in the service of the general interest and that its use respects individual rights.
Thematic file and study session: Artificial intelligence and data analysis: Defining clear processing purposes compatible with fundamental rights
The processing of judicial data must meet clear objectives as accepted by the scientific community. se procedures must be carried out in compliance with the fundamental rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights and the Convention for the Protection of Personal Data. With this in mind, the CEPEJ is currently examining the implications of the use of artificial intelligence for the justice sector, from the point of view of both the efficiency of justice and its quality, and is preparing guidelines for the Member States. CEPEJ's current work on this subject and the expected deliverables (including an Ethical Charter on the treatment of jurisprudence by what are known as artificial intelligence systems) will be presented during the next CEPEJ plenary meeting, on 27-29 June 2018.
Study session: Leading Change to Cyberjustice
This file is based on a study session organised by the CEPEJ on 10 December 2015 at the 26th plenary meeting in Strasbourg and allowed presentation of ITC tools in the field of justice.
Sharing common concepts for the evaluation of the functioning of judicial systems
This file is based on a study session organised by the CEPEJ on 8 December 2011 and allowed an exchange of updated practices in terms of efficiency of the functioning of European judicial systems.
Going beyond the CEPEJ's report – some conclusions to be drawn
This file is based on a study session organised by the CEPEJ on 9 December 2010 and and gives more details on some issues of the CEPEJ evaluation report on European judicial systems published in November 2010.
Measuring performance of judicial systems and Courts
This file is based on a study session organised by the CEPEJ on 9 December 2009 and handles with aspects like justice as a public service, reasons, methods, ways and indicators to measure performance of judicial systems and Courts.
Dysfunctions within a court: how to highlight them? how to respond to them?
This file is based on a study session organised by the CEPEJ on 30 November 2004, the purpose of which was to look at the mechanisms available to Member states when they are faced with dysfunctions in one of their courts. The idea was to take stock of the systems in force, think about what should be put in place and see how the CEPEJ could help improve these systems.
Justice serving citizens: How to improve the functioning of judicial systems for the benefit of users
This file is based on a study session organised by the CEPEJ on 2 December 2003, the aim of which was to look from the user’s viewpoint and see whether the responses offered by the people and/or institutions involved were appropriate or whether new responses need to be devised.
The users of the justice system vis-à-vis the slowness of justice: how to remedy?
This file is based on three reports on victims of crime, protection of victims and procedure of divorce.
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