Created in 2005, the "Crystal Scales of Justice" Prize is a competition aimed at discovering and highlighting innovative and efficient practices concerning the functioning of justice, judicial procedures or the organisation of courts.

These practices are conducted in European jurisdictions (for example, initiatives devised by a court president, a registry, a Bar). They are drawn to the attention of policy-makers and the judicial community so as to improve the functioning of the public justice system.The aim of the prize is to identify and promote innovative practices regarding the conduct of proceedings, court organisation and the functioning of court systems in general. To be eligible for consideration, the practices nominated must have been implemented recently and they should be easily usable by other States or jurisdictions. Their efficiency must be measurable. 

 2023 edition - Rules and application form 

The award ceremony of 12th edition of the Crystal Scales of Justice Prize was held in Paris on 4 October 2023 at the invitation of the French Ministry of Justice. The results are published below. 

 Agenda of the awarding ceremony (in French)


 

A Cypriot initiative dedicated to children and entitled «Kids in Court Game (KiCGame)» has won the Cristal Scales of Justice Prize
Ceremony winner/ Image credit: Dylan MARCHAL / Ministère de la Justice

Ceremony winner/ Image credit: Dylan MARCHAL / Ministère de la Justice

The 2023 European "Crystal Scales of Justice" Prize, organised by the Council of Europe in order to reward innovative judicial practices within European judicial institutions, was awarded on 4 October 2023 in Paris (France) to the Cyprus Judicial Training School and “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center (Cyprus), represented by Mr Erotocritou, Director of the School and Mrs Neocleous, Executive Director of Hope for Children. The ceremony took place in the presence of Mr Eric Dupond-Moretti, Minister of Justice (France), Mr. Pap Ndiaye, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of France to the Council of Europe and Mr Christophe Poirel, Director of Human Rights of the Council of Europe. Members of the jury of the competition, which was composed of prominent personalities in the field of justice, were also at the ceremony to explain the jury’s choice. The Ministry of Justice of France, winner of the last edition of the Prize (2021), hosted the event.

The project “Kids in Court Game (KiCGame)” [Explanation] consists of four different games designed to prepare children psychologically and emotionally to testify in court as witnesses.

Two special mentions were also awarded to the two following projects:

The Crystal Scales of Justice Prize is organized by the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) and aims to highlight European best practices within European judicial systems. For this year’s edition, 48 projects from 17 countries were submitted, focusing in particular on access to justice, the protection of victims, and digitalization of justice.

The representatives of the awarded projects will be invited to present them at the CEPEJ plenary meeting in early December 2023.

The awarded projects of the Crystal Scales of Justice Prize will also serve as research subjects for Masters students of law faculties, in Council of Europe member states or in those with observer status to the CEPEJ, who wish to participate in the third edition of the Junior Crystal Scales of Justice Prize, which will be launched in October 2023.

Paris, France 4 October 2023
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Presentations of speakers : 

Mr Éric DUPOND-MORETTI, Minister of Justice of France

       Speech (in French)

Ambassador Pap NDIAYE, Permanent Representative of France to the Council of Europe

       Speech (in French)

Mr Christophe POIREL, Director of Human Rights, Council of Europe 

       Speech (in French)

Ms Sonya DJEMNI-WAGNER, Chair of the Cristal Scales Jury, Member of the CEPEJ Bureau, Member of the CEPEJ (France) 

       Speech (in French) 

Mr Olivier CHRISTEN, Director of Criminal Affairs and Pardons Division

       Speech (in French)


 
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CEPEJ

Crystal Scales of Justice Prize

The "Crystal Scales of Justice" Prize to the Cyprus School of Magistrates and the HfC

All the parties involved in the justice system in Cyprus have an important reason to feel proud. The Cyprus School of Magistrates and the Humanitarian Organisation "Hope for Children" CRC Policy Center Cyprus won the "Crystal Scales of Justice" prize in the framework of the CEPEJ Council of Europe competition.

Previous editions
Junior Crystal Scales of Justice Prize

The Junior Edition of the Crystal Scales of Justice Prize complements the Crystal Scales of Justice Prize. After having put together a research and legal analysis file, highlighting the innovative aspects of one of the awarded projects of the CEPEJ Crystal Scales of Justice Prize and studying its possible transposition in another context, teams are invited to defend their case orally before the Jury.

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