The CCJE Working Group met on 21-23 June 2023 in Strasbourg to discuss the draft of the CCJE Opinion No. 26 (2023) on the use of technologies in the judicial system.

The participants agreed that the Opinion should examine the advantages as well as disadvantages of the use of technologies by judges. The Opinion notes that technologies continue to develop and judges should keep pace with such developments. Technologies may be used to support the work of judges and of parties to the judicial proceedings, and they may promote speed and efficiency in the administration of justice. The Opinion also stresses the importance of applying technologies in ways that maintain and enhance the fundamental principles of the rule of law and in particular, the judicial independence and impartiality guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Working Group meeting was visited by the Honorary Justice Francesco Depasquale, President of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ), and by Ms Muriel Decot, Executive Secretary of the CEPEJ. The President of the CEPEJ contributed to the meeting by presenting the CEPEJ activities and highlighting its relevant instruments as regards digitalisation of justice and use of electronic court filing and videoconferencing in judicial proceedings.

The Working Group agreed on amendments to be introduced to the updated draft Opinion which will subsequently be presented to all members of the CCJE.