The Dutch Training and Study Centre for the Judiciary (SSR) hosted last 23 and 24 February in Utrecht the first 2023 meeting of EJTN’s Judicial Training Methods Working Group (JTM WG). The group discussed a wide range of issues with significant implications for the future of judicial training in Europe, such as the state of bilateral cooperation between judicial schools, the importance of judgecraft training, and the training needs of senior judiciary members (i.e. heads of courts and tribunals).
Participants also discussed the evaluation models used to assess training activities and the deployment of virtual classrooms, and other innovative technology solutions. Against this background, the JTM WG created an ad hoc group to reflect on the evaluation of future EJTN activities.
Delegates also decided to increase the number of activities connected with digitalisation, e-learning, and innovation in judicial training throughout 2024. The decision was a response to requests made by EJTN Members and to the priorities of the new EJTN’s new Secretary General, Ingrid Derveaux.
In addition, SSR representatives delivered a detailed presentation on the “learning scan” tool, an initiative that aims to further improve the quality of legal training in the Netherlands. The SSR also organised a visit to their recording studio, which prepares video and e-learning solutions for judges, prosecutors, and court staff.
The JTM WG meeting was chaired by Judge Pedro Raposo de Figueiredo from the Portuguese Centre for Judicial Studies, and kindly organised by Nathalie Glime, Senior Course Manager at the SSR.
EJTN wishes to thank the SSR staff for their hospitality, dedication and support.
EJTN participating members
The JTM WG’s first meeting of 2023 saw the addition of new members following the decisions adopted during the 2022 EJTN’s General Assembly. Delegates from North Macedonia and Serbia also attended the event. Institutions from these countries have an Observer status within EJTN and are actively involved in the Western Balkans II project.
Representatives from the following organisations participated in the JTM WG meeting, either in-person or online:
• Belgium – Judicial Training Institute
• Bulgaria – National Institute of Justice
• Croatia – Judicial Academy
• Czech Republic – Judicial Academy
• Estonia – Office of the Prosecutor General
• France – National School for the Judiciary
• Germany – Academy of European Law
• Greece – National School of Judiciary
• Hungary – Office of the Prosecutor General
• Italy – High Council for the Judiciary
• Italy – Superior School for the Judiciary
• Netherlands – Training and Study Centre for the Judiciary
• North Macedonia – Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors
• Poland – National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution
• Portugal – Centre for Judicial Studies
• Romania – National Institute of Magistracy
• Serbia – Judicial Academy of the Republic of Serbia
• Slovenia – Judicial Training Centre
• Spain – Centre for Legal Studies (CEJ)
• Spain – Judicial School of the General Council of the Judiciary
• Sweden – Judicial Training Academy
• UK – Judicial College
• UK – Judicial Institute for Scotland
EJTN was represented by Ingrid Derveaux (Secretary General), Arno Vinkovic (Project Manager), Amaryllis Perotti (Executive Assistant) and Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua (Communications Manager).
Note for editors
Launched in 2014, the Judicial Training Methods Working Group (JTM WG) is EJTN’s leading body for assessing and implementing new training methods for European judiciary members. The main objective of this group is to ensure high-quality training for judges, prosecutors, court staff and trainers by incorporating the latest technological and scientific advances in education.
Mainstreaming the fundamental principles of judicial training into all EJTN training and exchange activities is another vital task the JTM WG performs. Indeed, these principles had been developed within EJTN to ensure European judges and prosecutors receive high-quality training. Some aspects of these principles are also transferable to the training of court staff.
In 2022, the JTM WG organised thirteen training sessions for 226 participants from across Europe.
For more information on the Judicial Training Methods Working Group activities, please visit https://ejtn.eu/activity/judicial-training-methods.
