On 15 June 2021, João Arsénio de Oliveira, Chair of the European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ), addressed the Rapporteur Group on Legal Co-operation (GR-J) of the Committee of Ministers' Deputies of the Council of Europe to discuss the progress achieved by the CDCJ in the activities envisaged in the current biennium and present the proposed priorities for the new four-years programming period which were discussed by the CDCJ at its last plenary meeting on 17 May 2021.

In his address, he underlined the added value of the two guidelines prepared by the CDCJ, that is the guidelines on the efficiency and effectiveness of legal aid schemes in the areas of civil and administrative law (adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 31 March 2021) and the guidelines on online dispute resolution mechanisms in civil and administrative court proceedings (expected to be adopted on 16 June 2021). The Chair underlined the important role of the committee to continue reflecting on how the pandemic has accelerated change in the delivery of justice and has exposed the fragility of the rule of law, and implications for the committee’s work. An exchange of views on topical aspects followed, during which the Chair reiterated the CDCJ’s commitment and readiness to elaborate a new European legal instrument to protect the profession of lawyer, a practical guide for professionals regarding administrative detention of migrants and other tools; to finalise draft legal instruments in the area of family law and children’s rights, and to carry out regular reviews of selected conventions and recommendations. He concluded by expressing the committee’s commitment to step up efforts and make swift progress, and expressed his gratitude for the support and trust expressed by participating representatives at the meeting.

Link to the speech (English only)