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.
Taking place over two weeks in spring and two weeks in autumn, the programme participants visited 27 judicial institutions and schools throughout Europe, fostering cross-border learning and collaboration among Europe’s future judiciary.
During each exchange week, participants engaged in discussions that highlighted the similarities as well as the unique aspects of their respective national judicial systems. Through expert-led presentations, interactive workshops and lectures, trainees gained insights from seasoned legal professionals. They also attended local court hearings and toured institutions to gain a deeper understanding of legal processes in their host countries.
Two new institutions – the Judicial Studies Committee of Malta and the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Luxembourg – joined the AIAKOS Programme as hosts for the first time this year, thus contributing to the programme’s overall growth and reach.
Learning the art of judging
One of the programme’s highlights was a webinar on judgecraft led by Leslie Cuthbert and Philip Rostant from the Judicial College of England and Wales. These expert-led sessions took place in each exchange week and covered key topics such as cognitive biases, managing high-conflict situations, and judicial conduct and ethics. The sessions provided the trainees with tools to recognise biases in decision-making, conduct fair hearings and navigate challenging courtroom scenarios with professionalism and empathy.
A tailored experience for every institution
Each participating institution designed a unique curriculum for its visiting trainees, though several core activities were shared across the programme. In many sessions, trainees presented overviews of their own country’s judicial systems, creating a dynamic exchange of knowledge that enriched participants’ understanding of different legal frameworks across Europe.
Site visits are a central feature of the AIAKOS Programme. This year, the participants had the chance to explore a range of judicial and legal institutions, including courts, prosecution offices, police departments, forensic labs and EU institutions. These visits were instrumental in fostering a mutual understanding of diverse judicial systems and cultivating trust among future European judges and prosecutors.
Throughout the programme, thematic sessions addressed both legal and social topics relevant to judicial cooperation, covering subjects such as the European Arrest Warrant, counter-terrorism efforts and asylum and refugee law. The hands-on approach of these sessions made them particularly engaging for participants.
In addition, some institutions organised moot court and mock trial simulations, while attendance at local court hearings was required in other countries. Social events also complemented the programme by encouraging informal interactions and networking among trainees.
If you are interested in participating in the AIAKOS Programme in the future, please contact your national judicial training institution for eligibility details.
For more information about the EJTN training activities, visit our website and stay connected with us on LinkedIn for the latest updates.
