The Forum brought together 70 distinguished participants, including representatives of European Ministries of Justice, Presidents of Supreme and Constitutional Courts, judges and Advocates General of the Court of Justice of the European Union, representatives of international organisations, and other key stakeholders. It offered a unique platform for in-depth dialogue on the pressing and timely topic of safeguarding liberal democracy and ensuring judicial independence.

The event was opened by Pascal Pichonnaz (Professor, University of Fribourg; ELI President), who emphasised that the Forum aimed to facilitate a thorough exchange on the two recently adopted ELI instruments. The event was chaired by Sir Geoffrey Vos (Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice in England and Wales; ELI Second Vice-President) who opened by stressing the importance and timeliness of ELI outputs, in particular in context of digitalisation, among others.

Participants were welcomed by Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, who delivered the following message:

‘Promoting and upholding the rule of law and judicial independence will always be a collective responsibility. Standards on judicial independence, such as those prepared by the European Law Institute, provide an important contribution in that respect.

Such standards contribute to a better understanding of the concept of judicial independence and help build and further strengthen a genuine rule of law culture. So, allow me ... to thank [ELI for its] work in strengthening that rule of law culture.’

This was followed by a presentation on the European Commission’s work related to the rule of law and judicial independence, delivered by Nicolaas Bel (Deputy Head of Unit, Rule of Law, European Commission).

Professor Takis Tridimas (Founding Director of the Luxembourg Centre for European Law, University of Luxembourg; Project Co-Reporter) and Assistant Professor Sophie Turenne (University of Cambridge; Co-Reporter) then presented the Charter and the Standards, respectively. They highlighted the pioneering features of the initiatives and reflected on their potential impact on jurisprudence, legal practice, and wider society.

The presentations led to a dynamic and engaging discussion among participants.

Key discussion points included:

• The importance of explicitly including social rights and sustainability within the ELI Charter;
• The vital role and responsibility of judges in upholding justice and institutional integrity, particularly in EU candidate countries;
• The need to further promote and operationalise ELI’s work, ensuring its uptake in practice and policy.

ELI would like to express its sincere gratitude to the Chairs and Reporters of the ELI Charter of Fundamental Constitutional Principles of a European Democracy, Sir Francis Geoffrey Jacobs KCMG KC, Sir Jeffrey Jowell KCMG KC, Professor Elise Muir, and Professor Takis Tridimas, as well as to the Reporters of the ELI-Mount Scopus European Standards of Judicial Independence, Professor Shimon Shetreet, Professor Sophie Turenne, Professor Leah Wortham, and Professor Fryderyk Zoll. Our gratitude also goes to Judge Paul Gilligan (ELI member).

ELI is equally grateful to all participants for their thoughtful contributions, which will be carefully considered as ELI continues its mission to support democracy and the rule of law in Europe.

ELI Charter of Fundamental Constitutional Principles of a European Democracy is available here.

ELI-Mount Scopus European Standards of Judicial Independence are available here.