The 2023 edition of the THEMIS Competition kicked off last week with the Semi-Final A on EU and European Criminal Procedure. The Semi-Final was hosted at the Office of the Prosecutor General in Budapest. Seven European teams engaged in three days of innovative presentations and challenging debates about EU law.
The distinguished jury members proclaimed Team “Italy 2” the winner at the Award Ceremony. Team France and Team Greece secured the podium’s second and third spots, respectively.
Team “Italy 2” and Team France qualified for the Grand Final of the 2023 THEMIS Competition that will be held in Bucharest, Romania, in December of this year.
The papers from the teams “Italy 2” and Hungary will be published in the forthcoming edition of the THEMIS Annual Journal.
Mr Stefano Finocchiaro, Ms Giulia Tavella and Mr Vincenzo Riganti from the winning team discussed a proposal for a Common European non-conviction-based confiscation model. The runners-up, Ms Louise Bluchet, Ms Juliette Ploquin and Ms Gabrielle Vigneron, from Team France, tackled the Prosecution of money laundering activities.
Ms Giulia Tavella from the winning Team “Italy 2” was particularly pleased by the jury’s willingness to listen to a proposal “that was a bit out of line” and by the possibility of meeting extremely well-prepared colleagues from other countries “who have now become friends”.
EJTN wants to thank the distinguished jury members for their critical assessment and judgment. Judge Petr Kolban, Judge José Luís Lopes da Mota and Ms Jūlija Muraru-Kļučica from the Latvian Ministry of Justice posed challenging questions to the participants in an atmosphere that fostered learning and a positive exchange of viewpoints.
The Chair of the Jury, Mr Lopes da Mota, stressed the commitment of the young competitors and their valuable contributions to the creation of a common European judicial culture thanks to the actuality of the topics discussed.
The jury was pleased to see how the THEMIS Competition contributed to reinforcing the area of freedom, security and justice within the EU, which allows European citizens to enjoy their rights in a democratic society based on the rule of law.
EJTN also wants to thank the Hungarian Office of the Prosecutor General for the flawless organisation of the Semi-Final in Budapest and their hospitality.
Note for editors
Since 2010, EJTN has organised the highly acclaimed THEMIS Competition, open to future EU magistrates undergoing entry-level training. The THEMIS Competition is an event for debating EU law, practising judicial skills and exchanging experiences and perspectives.
The teams have to deliver a written paper on a topic of their choice within the subject of the Semi-Final, give a 30-minute presentation, reply to audience questions and have a 45-minute discussion with the jury.
Between 2006 and 2009, the event was organised and financed by the Portuguese Centre of Judiciary Studies (CEJ) and the National Institute of Magistracy of Romania (NIM).
The 2023 THEMIS Competition will consist of four Semi-Finals:
• Semi-Final A: EU and European Criminal Procedure: 16-19 May 2023, Budapest, Hungary.
• Semi-Final B: EU and European Family Law: 6-9 June 2023, Naples, Italy.
• Semi-Final C: EU and European Civil procedure: 14-16 June 2023, Budapest, Hungary.
• Semi-Final D: Judicial Ethics and Professional Conduct: 3-7 July 2023, Krakow, Poland.
The winner and runner-up of each Semi-Final qualify for the Grand Final on Access to Justice that will be held in Bucharest in December, as the 2022 THEMIS Competition was one by a team from Romania.
The best-written papers will be published in the THEMIS Annual Journal.
The competition winners will award a 5-day study visit hosted by an EJTN Member.
