South Programme V

September 2022 – August 2025

European Union/Council of Europe Joint Programme

“Protecting human rights, rule of law and democracy through shared standards in the Southern Mediterranean (South programme V)”

financed under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument of the European Union

Context of the project

The CEPEJ, through its previous work under the South Programme I, II, III and IV, built strong relations with the judicial authorities and legal professionals of certain countries of the Region (Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt in particular). An "on demand" approach was pursued and aimed at meeting the specific needs of beneficiaries. Thus, responding to a request targeting the efficiency of justice the cooperation has evolved towards an approach more focused on the quality of justice and cyberjustice.

Achieving a better protection of human rights, rule of law and democracy in the Southern Mediterranean region in line with European and international standards is the overall objective of the fifth phase of the South Programme. Promoting the use of CEPEJ tools through best practices sharing, round tables, conferences, workshops, and peer to peer exchanges will be essential. South Programme V builds upon the activities implemented under the previous phases, with a strengthened regional focus (regional activities targeting issues of common interest of the beneficiaries and supporting the existing regional networks) and providing tailored support to the beneficiaries of the region.

Objectives of the project

To strengthen the capacities of the Southern Mediterranean beneficiaries in the field of implementation of judicial reforms and the efficiency and the quality of justice systems, and to reinforce the dialogue and networking between justice professionals, institutions and bodies at national, regional and international level, based on the CEPEJ methodology and on European and international standards.

Expected results

Regional, multilateral and bilateral events will be organised to raise awareness on the CEPEJ tools and methodology as well as best international practices, and to promote regional exchanges on good practices (as examples – improving data collection, introducing and operating judicial dashboards, promoting alternative dispute resolution and mediation tools)
Regional events in the framework of existing networks will be organised (notably, the informal network of justice inspection services, the development of which was supported in phase IV of the South Programme), these networks will be consolidated, and further support will be provided
Tailored support will be provided to the beneficiaries, on the national authorities’ demand (some examples – assessments and evaluations of the functioning of a judicial system, support in reducing backlogs and in introducing cyberjustice tools)

Beneficiaries

Ministries of Justice, High Councils of Justice, justice inspection services, pilot courts, courts’ staff, lawyers and other relevant beneficiaries in the region, Council of State of Egypt.

Contacts

Laetitia Dimanche
Project officer
+33 (0)3 88 90 21 44 90

S andrine Lutz
Project assistant
+33 (0)3 88 41 35 54

USEFUL RESOURCES

CEPEJ documents translated into Arabic

News

Back CEPEJ present in Lisbon at the South Programme V Steering Committee and the 30th North-South Centre Lisbon Forum on AI

Sara RADOVICKA

Modified 7 Months ago.

CEPEJ present in Lisbon at the South Programme V Steering Committee and the 30th North-South Centre Lisbon Forum on AI

The final Steering Committee meeting of the South Programme V, “Protecting human rights, rule of law and democracy through shared standards in the Southern Mediterranean”, was held on 27 October 2025 in Lisbon to review key results and prepare a seamless transition into the next phase of the South Programme (November 2025 – December 2028), by setting future priorities.

The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) presented its regional cooperation activities within the Arab Network of Judicial Inspection Services (ARNJIS), established by CEPEJ and which now includes eleven member institutions. This platform has become a cornerstone for the exchange of good practices, peer learning, and the development of shared standards in the field of judicial inspection across the Southern Mediterranean and the Gulf. The growing cooperation between ARNJIS and its European counterpart, the European Network of Judicial Inspection Services (RESIJ), based on mutual trust and the sharing of experiences, contributes to a common understanding of key principles governing justice — with the aim of strengthening judicial efficiency and promoting the rule of law.

In addition, CEPEJ took part on 28–29 October 2025 in the 30th Lisbon Forum, organised by the Council of Europe’s North-South Centre, on the theme “AI and Global Governance: Rights, Representation and Agency.” The event gathered over two hundred policymakers, legal professionals, and representatives from civil society and youth organisations worldwide to discuss the need for AI governance that upholds human rights, democracy, and cultural diversity.

CEPEJ led a workshop showcasing three practical examples of AI tools used in the justice sector: an AI-based interactive chat service for judicial users (Cape Verde), a legal research tool – AIMON (Poland), and an automated payment order system (Spain).

This workshop illustrated CEPEJ’s commitment to promoting the responsible digitalisation of justice systems, in line with the principles of the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law — the world’s first binding international treaty on AI.

PSV steering committee agenda

The Programme video including partners testimonials

To know more about the Lisbon forum

Lisbon, Portugal 27 October 2025