On 18 and 19 November 2025, judges and prosecutors from fifteen EU member states gathered, both in person at the Council of Europe premises in Strasbourg and online, for an international seminar marking the launch of the HELP short course on Access to Justice in the Digital Environment. The event was organised in the framework of the EU-CoE HELP in the EU IV Project, funded under the European Union Justice Programme (2021-2027).

The seminar aimed to provide a forum for practical exchange among judges and prosecutors on principles, good practice and challenges, starting from the relevant standards and case law developed at the level of the Council of Europe and the EU. Participants also attended a hearing at the European Court of Human Rights.

The seminar began with a warm welcome by Lilja Grétarsdóttir, Head of the Department for Human Rights and Justice Cooperation of the Council of Europe.

Addressing Access to Justice in the Digital Environment

The core of the seminar’s theoretical and practical sessions focused heavily on how rapid technological advancement intersects with fundamental rights.

Judge Anna Adamska-Gallant of the European Court of Human Rights delivered a speech addressing the modern challenges of tech integration. She focused specifically on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and the right to free elections, emphasizing that safeguarding electoral integrity from digital manipulation forms the absolute core of an effective, modern political democracy.

The digital theme was further addressed by Madaline Vlase, lawyer with the Registry of the same Court, who mapped out the procedural guarantees regarding access to justice in a digital environment, using key case law as a guide.

The seminar included as well a practical workshop on digital access to justice. The interactive session was moderated by Ana Maria Telbis, Head of the HELP Programme, Oana Gîrlescu, EU-CoE HELP in the EU IV Project Manager and Morana Briski, Senior Court Advisor and Specialist at the Supreme Court of the Republic of Croatia and (member of the EJTN’s Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms Sub-Working Group.

Inside the European Court of Human Rights – A Grand Chamber Hearing

A highlight of the seminar was the unique opportunity for participants to experience the highest level of European judicial proceedings. To prepare the attendees, Saara Ingstrom, a lawyer at the Registry of the European Court of Human Rights, conducted an introductory briefing on the first day. During the second day, the participants attended the Grand Chamber hearing in the case of Grande Oriente d’Italia v. Italy (n° 29550/17).

Following the hearing, Oana Gîrlescu moderated a debriefing session, allowing the judicial professionals to unpack the procedural and substantive human rights elements observed during the arguments.

Post-event Online Training and Knowledge Sharing

Following the conclusion of the event, participants transitioned online,  undertaking the HELP short course on Access to Justice in the Digital Environment; they were guided on the HELP Platform by Morana Briski and Oana Girlescu.

Beyond the structured coursework, participants were invited to submit and share real-world practical cases from their respective jurisdictions. Some of them were analysed and debated within a dedicated online Forum created specifically for this cohort.

To mark their achievement, participants who successfully fulfilled all course requirements and contributed to the peer-to-peer exchange were awarded HELP-EJTN certificates.

By investing in these high-level joint initiatives, the Council of Europe and the European Union continue to demonstrate their unwavering support for a European judicial culture rooted in professionalism, integrity, and the shared protection of human rights.

The HELP short course on Access to Justice in the Digital Environment

The HELP short course on Access to Justice in the Digital Environment provides an overview of the evolving digital landscape in legal proceedings. Technology is rapidly reshaping the way justice is delivered and accessed, making it essential for legal professionals to stay informed and prepared for these changes. This course is designed to help participants reflect on key developments and challenges in the digital transformation of access to justice, and to encourage thoughtful consideration of how justice can remain accessible to everyone, including vulnerable groups. Learners will gain a concise understanding of relevant instruments developed by both the Council of Europe and the European Union. The module also offers a practical perspective by examining recent case law from the European Court of Human Rights and other courts, as well as exploring national practices, including examples presented on the European e-Justice Portal.

The course was developed in 2025 by the Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) Programme of the Council of Europe, in the framework of the EU-CoE HELP in the EU IV Project.

Developed using the HELP methodology, the course is tailored to the learning needs of legal professionals. The course is available in self learning format, having a duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes. It can be followed in English, with translations in other languages to be made available soon.  Upon completion, users can generate their electronic Statements of Accomplishment, in proof of their acquired knowledge and skills. 

HELP courses are intended, in the long term, to become an integral part of the overall learning curricula of the national training institutions and/or other competent authorities of the Council of Europe member states and beyond.