European Judicial Training Network (EJTN)

2024 EJTN Annual Report now available – first time in hybrid format

In 2024, EJTN reaffirmed its commitment to judicial training excellence by organising 971 activities, delivering 36,726.5 training days and training a total of 10,921 European judges, prosecutors, court staff and trainers – a 17% increase in participants from the previous year. These remarkable achievements were made possible by the EJTN Members, who develop impactful training initiatives and ensure their wide and effective dissemination.

Celebrating 25 years of fundamental rights in the EU

This year, the European Union marks 25 years since the adoption of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which continues to be a key document embodying the EU’s commitment to dignity, freedoms, equality, solidarity, citizens’ rights and justice. 

Get ready for the 2025 edition of the THEMIS Competition

This year’s THEMIS Competition is set to launch soon, bringing together 39 teams from across Europe. Judicial trainees from 12 EU member states, three Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia), and Moldova will compete for top honours.

EJTN Digital Ambassadors: a new initiative to support the digital transformation of justice

The new EJTN Digital Ambassadors Programme supports the digital transformation of justice by equipping European justice practitioners with the tools and knowledge they need to support the digitalisation processes at national level. Through this initiative, the European Judicial Training Network will be able to have direct impact on how national justice systems adapt to the digitalisation of justice, providing them with the relevant training and resources.

Applications for the 2025 EJTN study visits are now open

EJTN is pleased to open the second call for applications for study visits taking place in the second semester of 2025. EJTN study visits are open to judges, prosecutors, court and prosecution staff as well as judicial trainers from EU Member States.  

Eight study visits will be organised with six partner institutions, and the application deadline is set for 16 May. 

Building a common digital culture is a step towards the digital transformation of justice

Over 170 judges, prosecutors and court staff from across Europe joined a new groundbreaking hybrid event, titled ‘Building a Common Digital Culture’, held in Lisbon on 1-2 April. Hosted by the Directorate-General of Justice Administration (DGAJ), EJTN’s Associate Member, as well as online, the event was a great example of blended learning, which combines face-to-face sessions, virtual components and asynchronous learning. This type of learning approach has several benefits, including flexibility and scalability, aligning with EJTN’s commitment to delivering inclusive and forward-thinking training activities to Europe’s justice practitioners while addressing national and EU-wide challenges.  

The fourth Judges@Europe Forum to take place in May

Following on from the success of past years’ editions, the 2025 Judges@Europe Forum will take place on 21-23 May at the Siracusa International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights. 

The theme of this fourth edition focuses on being a judge in the digital era, covering topics such as judicial independence, the freedom of expression, alternative dispute resolution, digital evidence and disinformation. 

Specialised training programme for financial and economic crime investigators launched

Targeted at justice practitioners and law enforcement professionals working on financial and economic crime investigations, the training activities will improve the detection and prosecution of anti-competitive infringements across the EU. The goal is to enhance the role of professionals who, while not directly responsible for competition enforcement, can support competition enforcement authorities by sharing relevant information and evidence with the European Commission and the National Competition Authorities of the Member States.

Closing the gender equality gap in justice: judicial training as a key to progress

On 10 March, the International Day of Women Judges, the European Judicial Training Network hosted together with its members and partners an insightful online conference titled ‘Gender Equality in Justice: How to Achieve it Through Training’. High-level speakers from European and international organisation as well as from several EJTN member institutions shared their experiences and insights on how to support gender equality within the judiciary. While the European judiciary is predominantly feminine men tend to occupy more of the leading position, and gender biases remain.  

EJTN online conversation classes in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish to launch in May

The next series of online conversation classes by the European Judicial Training Network will take place between 5 May 2025 and 11 July 2025. The classes, held via Zoom, are open to EU judges and prosecutors from member institutions of the EJTN network and who already speak a second language but would like to improve their conversation skills.

Discussing gender equality in justice and how to achieve it through training – join us on 10 March

On 10 March, the International Day of Women Judges, the European Judicial Training Network will host an online conference titled Gender Equality in Justice: How to Achieve it Through Training? 

Take the initiative: Develop a project for a regional exchange or a judiciary learning grant programme

Over the last years, EJTN has developed programmes where the participants can identify their interests and learning needs and receive financial support from EJTN to implement their projects. Participating judges, prosecutors, court staff and trainers can learn from their European colleagues with the highest possible level of freedom to design their exchange activity from A to Z.

EJTN’s annual Training Needs Assessment shapes judicial training for 2026

Held in a hybrid format on 20-21 January, the 2025 Training Needs Assessment (TNA) hosted by the European Judicial Training Network was a key opportunity for stakeholders, including EJTN Members, Partners and key representatives of the European Commission, to discuss priorities, challenges and innovative solutions for future judicial training across Europe. Moreover, this important event feeds EJTN’s upcoming digitalisation strategy and multiannual action plan.

Applications to EJTN-CEPOL joint exchanges now open: deadline 17 February 2025

The EJTN-CEPOL joint Exchange Programme offers practical training, fostering the exchange of knowledge and best practices between EU judicial institutions and law enforcement agencies. This programme allows justice professionals and law enforcement officials to visit one another’s workplace to share and contrast experiences, working approaches and investigative techniques in several important areas.

AIAKOS & THEMIS: calls for applications launched

The European Judicial Training Network has opened the call for application for its initial training activities: the AIAKOS Programme and the THEMIS Competition. These flagship initiatives provide unparallel learning opportunities and experiences for aspiring judges and prosecutors, thus fostering European judicial cooperation, networking and professional growth. 

EJTN at 25: Contributing to a strong Europe of Justice

In 2025, the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) celebrates a key milestone: a quarter of a century of contributing to a strong Europe of Justice through delivering judicial training excellence, empowering the future generations of justice, fostering cross-border collaboration across Europe and championing judicial independence. 

EJTN and the HELP Programme launch a crash course on the judicial accountability in the digital era

The European Judicial Training Network in partnership with the Council of Europe’s HELP Programme launched on 17-18 December a free online resource titled ‘Judges Upholding the Rule of Law Crash Course’. This comprehensive training programme is available at the HELP e-learning platform aimed at judges, prosecutors, court staff, trainers, legal professionals and anyone interested in learning about this topic.

Key publications launched by EJTN in 2024 – and more to come in 2025

During 2024, the European Judicial Training Network published several important publications that serve as valuable resources to Europe’s Judges, Prosecutors and Court Staff. The 2024 THEMIS Annual Journal will be published during the first quarter of 2025.

EJTN’s 2024 in review

2024 was a key year for the European Judicial Training Network, with several innovative activities taking place and new projects launched. 

Team Romania crowned Champions of the 2024 THEMIS Grand Final

The 2024 THEMIS Competition concluded on a high note on 3-6 December at the Italian School of Magistracy (SSM) in Naples, Italy, where the prestigious Grand Final took place. Team Romania won the first place with an exemplary performance that included a meticulously structured written report addressing complex legal issues with references to key case-law from European courts. 

The 2025 EJTN Catalogue of Training Activities is here

We are thrilled to announce that the 2025 EJTN Catalogue of Training Activities is now available!  For 25 years, the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) has proudly supported the professional development of European justice practitioners by providing high-quality training tailored to meet their evolving needs.   

The third Judges@Europe Forum explores key themes of freedom of expression and judicial impartiality in the digital age

The third edition of the prestigious Judges@Europe Forum took place on 18-21 November in Syracuse, Italy, hosted by The Siracusa International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights. This unique forum, which provides judges from EU Member State a confidential space to share their insights and challenges, brought together nearly 60 judges to discuss judicial impartiality. 

The AIAKOS Programme brings together over 1300 Judicial trainees across Europe

This year, more than 1300 future judges and prosecutors from 24 European countries took part in the AIAKOS Programme. The programme  offers a unique exchange platform for future and early-career judges and prosecutors to learn and exchange views about different national judicial systems.  

UNESCO hosts a key webinar on AI in the Courts in partnership with EJTN

On 21 November, the European Judicial Training Network contributed to a webinar – organised by UNESCO and other esteemed organisations – titled “AI in the Courts: Exploring Practical Applications and Transformative Use Cases in the Judicial System.” The event brought together over 1,200 participants from around the world, including legal professionals, academics and policy-makers to explore how Artificial Intelligence can revolutionise judicial processes by enhancing efficiency and accessibility in the legal system.

Winners of the 2023 THEMIS Competition visit the Court of Justice of the European Union

The winners of the 2023 THEMIS Competition had the opportunity to visit the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) from 11 to 15 November. For the first two days of their study visit, the THEMIS teams joined another group of participants following an EJTN study visit at the CJEU. This gave the teams the opportunity to meet with other European justice practitioners, such as Judges, Prosecutors, Court and Prosecution Staff and judicial trainers. For the other days of the visit, the THEMIS teams benefitted from specialised sessions tailored by the CJEU. 

Applications for the 2025 EJTN study visits are now open

EJTN is pleased to open the first call for applications for study visits taking place in the first semester of 2025. EJTN study visits are open to judges, prosecutors, court and prosecution staff and judicial trainers from EU Member States. Nine study visits will be organised with five partner institutions. Applications are open until 16 December 2024 (18:00 Brussels time). 

On the road to the 2024 THEMIS Grand Final: highlights from the Semi-Finals

Over spring and summer, the European Judicial Training Network held four Semi-Finals of the 2024 THEMIS Competition. This year, 35 teams of future magistrates – described by one jury member as “the bright future of the European judiciary” – took part in this prestigious competition to share their perspectives on a diverse range of European law topics, presenting in front of their peers and a jury. The Semi-Finals, focused on four legal topics, served as a vibrant forum for debate, fostering the exchange of ideas, common values and fresh perspectives. 

EJTN Working Groups and Sub-Working Groups meet to plan for busy months ahead

As the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) gears up for a new cycle of training activities, the EJTN Working Groups and Sub-Working Groups have been meeting and actively planning initiatives aimed at advancing judicial training across Europe, including online activities, improved interactivity and innovative training solutions.

EJTN concludes successful webinar on digital transformation and judicial cooperation

On 14-15 October, the European Judicial Training Network successfully hosted a webinar titled ‘Digital Transformation and Instruments of Cooperation’, bringing together over 60 EJTN Activity Coordinators, responsible for designing EJTN’s activities, from across Europe. The event focused on preparing the judiciary for the digital era in collaboration with our partners from the European Commission, addressing critical aspects of EU judicial cooperation and the training needs arising from emerging digital tools

15 things you (probably) didn’t know about THEMIS

This year marks an important milestone in the world of legal education and European justice cooperation, as the THEMIS Competition, organised by the European Judicial Training Network, turns 15 years! Since its inception, this prestigious event has brought together judicial trainees from across Europe, challenging them to showcase their skills in moot court settings and giving them the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in pressing issues in EU law. 

The second call for applications for the 2025 EJTN exchanges is now open

EJTN is delighted to open the second call for applications for the 2025 Exchange Programme for Judicial Authorities! The applications are now open for General, Specialised, Judicial leaders and Trainers Exchanges. Application deadline is 31 October 2024 (18:00, Brussels time).

Justice, Peace and Democracy: core pillars for a fairer Europe

Justice, peace and democracy stand as the essential values that support the Rule of Law and ensure good governance, both of which provide Europeans with the assurance of fair treatment and the protection of their rights. As the global community observes the International Days of Democracy and Peace this month, the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) remains committed to advancing these core values across Europe through its extensive range of training activities and initiatives. 

Six educational videos on CJEU proceedings are available

Earlier this year, the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) contributed to an important project, the production of six educational videos on the composition and procedures of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the General Court.

Training the EJTN Activity Coordinators: empowering the architects of judicial training

The European Judicial Training Network successfully concluded the second instalment of its two-day specialised training for the EJTN Activity Coordinators, held online on 2-3 September.

Applications for the EJTN Exchange Programme 2025 are now open

Are you interested in deepening your understanding of different judicial systems or gaining practical experience within a European court, agency or office? EJTN is pleased to announce the opening of the first call for applications for the 2025 Exchange Programme for Judicial Authorities. The application deadline is open until 15 October 2024, 18:00 Brussels time. 

Empowering the future of justice

Every year on 15 July, the global community marks the World Youth Skills day. The day’s purpose is to highlight the importance of passing on to young people the various skills that they might need to meet the challenges of the future. The European Judicial Training Network is playing its part in this important mission. Through its initial training activities – the AIAKOS Programme and the THEMIS Competition – EJTN is dedicated to fostering a new generation of skilled and knowledgeable justice professionals.  

EJTN Working Group on Digitalisation holds AI and Rule of Law Seminar together with UNESCO

The European Judicial Training Network’s (EJTN) Working Group on Digitalisation launched its first activity earlier this week, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and the Rule of Law. 

EJTN launches a new groundbreaking publication on the rule of law and good administration of justice in the digital era

The European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) recently launched its latest publication, ‘The Rule of Law and the Good Administration of Justice in the Digital Era’ (Brussels, Bruylant, 2024). This comprehensive and bilingual volume (FR/EN) is the result of collaborative efforts from key judges, experts and institutions on the rule of law in the European Union.