On June 5, 2003, the Council of Europe and the European Commission established the European Civil Justice Day to bring citizens closer to the work carried out in courts, under the purview of CEPEJ, the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice, a body of the Council of Europe.

The Superior Council of the Judiciary views this occasion as an opportunity to highlight the specificity of the Italian civil justice system and to enhance positive experiences of change and innovation in the Italian judiciary, in line with the goals of quality and efficiency in justice.

In this light, the heads of the offices—President of the Milan Court of Appeal, President of the Milan Court, and President of the Juvenile Court of Milan—will illustrate the complexity of the organizational machinery, especially during this period of investments and reforms, in the context of providing effective protection of rights as advocated by Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and in response to social vulnerability.

This year, the European Civil Justice Day is aimed at young people, families, and schools, and through them, at the future of our society. The community-based institution chosen for this event is mediation, which is not only an alternative dispute resolution process but also a lifestyle model, a habitus for managing tension and conflict in contemporary society.

The first presentation will explain the European origins of mediation and its implementation in Italy in all its forms (civil and family mediation), illustrating the philosophy that underpins this approach. In the second presentation, a judge experienced in conciliation will explain the negative consequences of remaining trapped in conflict. The third session will be interactive, involving the public to practically apply rules to resolve conflicts.