Looking to the future: the 2026 Annual Training Needs Assessment brings together key stakeholders in judicial training

Held in hybrid format on 22 January, the 2026 Training Needs Assessment (TNA) hosted by the European Judicial Training Network was a key opportunity for EJTN’s strategic partners, key representatives of the European Commission, and Conveners of EJTN Working Groups and Sub-Working Groups to discuss the future of judicial training in Europe. These exchanges also provided a framework to highlight the European Commission’s strategy and to reaffirm the shared commitment to its implementation, with a focus on identifying how this can be achieved in close cooperation with all relevant partners. These important discussions will feed EJTN’s training activities in coming years but also contribute to the development of the organisation’s next Strategic Plan for the 2028-2034 period.

In her opening remarks, the EJTN Secretary General, Judge Ingrid Derveaux, highlighted the role judicial training plays in strengthening European justice systems and the Rule of Law:

“Judicial training is one of the cornerstones of strong, independent, and resilient justice systems. At a time when digital transformation presents both significant challenges and new opportunities for the Rule of Law, anticipating future needs and challenges and equipping justice practitioners with the necessary skills and knowledge, the European Judicial Training Network supports the Rule of Law and helps increase public trust in justice across Europe. The collective commitment of our members, associate members, observers and partners to high-quality judicial training ensures that Europe’s justice systems remain prepared and firmly grounded in the key values of the European Union.”

Workshops tackle key topics in judicial training

The day’s agenda was divided into three workshops, which covered judicial training from diverse but complementary perspectives.

The first workshop focused on digital tools and skills in judicial training. Discussions were focused on how innovative technologies, such as AI assisted tools and e-learning platforms, can be best integrated into judicial training programmes. This is a key topic for EJTN, which remains committed to supporting the digital transformation of justice by equipping Europe’s justice practitioners and judicial trainers with the necessary skills and knowledge. A concrete example of this is the EJTN Digital Ambassador’s programme, which was ran for the first time last year, and which will also take place in 2026.

The second workshop centred on the new legal framework, including the EU priorities for 2026 and 2027. It is evident that upcoming legislative developments and policy objectives will shape judicial training needs across Europe, particularly in light of the digitalisation of civil and criminal judicial cooperation within the European Union as required under Regulation (EU) 2023/2844. Against this background, it is essential for EJTN to ensure that its judicial training offer remains responsive, forward‑looking, and aligned with the European Commission’s priorities, including by supporting justice practitioners in the effective use of digital judicial cooperation instruments. In this context, close cooperation with the European Judicial Networks in civil and criminal matters is key to ensuring coherent and high‑quality training, further reinforcing EJTN’s role as the central coordinator of judicial training at EU level.

The third workshop covered fundamental rights and the Rule of Law. These core values remain at the heart of EJTN’s mission, and they are crucial for the sound administration of justice across Europe. This workshop, which also briefly addressed other recurrent EU law topics, provided valuable input for strengthening cross-border cooperation, enhancing mutual trust, and integrating the values of the European Union even more systematically into future training activities.

Moreover, the morning session was dedicated to an exchange with EJTN’s strategic partners, with a particular focus on the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and UNESCO. Discussions with the CJEU centred on the proposal to develop an online training course on the preliminary ruling procedure, with the aim of supporting the effective application and uniform interpretation of EU law across the European area of justice. This course would build on the annual seminar organised jointly with the Administrative Law Sub‑Working Group and hosted by the CJEU. The exchange with UNESCO focused on the presentation of its newly developed guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence by judicial authorities, which will serve as a valuable reference for the integration of AI‑related topics into EJTN’s future training activities.

Cooperation and better coordination remain priorities

This year’s Training Needs Assessment continued to highlight not only the importance of cooperation at European level, but also that of coordination between EU Member States. As judicial training topics become more interconnected and judicial challenges increasingly cross-border, coordinated approaches to training emerge as a crucial way to ensure consistency, efficiency, reach, and impact of training activities. This growing need for alignment suggests that coordination may increasingly shape how judicial training is planned and delivered in the years ahead.

EJTN warmly thanks all its members and the following partners and institutions for their much-valued contributions: 