The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) held a webinar on friendly settlement on 13 November, bringing together judges and representatives from CEPEJ pilot courts across Europe.

Sylvie Frankignoul, President of the Chamber for Amicable Settlement in Brussels (Belgium), and Christoph Gadesmann, Judge at the Regional Court in Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany), explained the concept of friendly settlement (judicial conciliation). They presented how it is implemented in their respective courts, the applicable legal frameworks, its impact on court workloads and the length of judicial proceedings, as well as the benefits for parties and court users.

Ombeline Mahuzier, President of the First Instance Court in Colmar (France), and Pierre-Yves Mauron, President of the Civil Court in Geneva (Switzerland), focused on the roles played by judges, court staff, parties, and lawyers and the skills and competences required for friendly settlement.

Francesco Depasquale, President of the CEPEJ, and Giacomo Oberto, President of the Working Group on Judicial Time Management (CEPEJ-SATURN), respectively opened and closed this event, which aimed to promote the exchange of good practices in this area of justice.