Well-functioning legal and democratic institutional structures based on the rule of law are necessary to ensure democratic security in Europe. Independent, impartial and efficient judiciaries are key to inspiring public trust and securing human rights. They guarantee that all individuals are treated equally before the law and that rights and freedoms are enjoyed in practice. Concerted and effective responses to common challenges and threats are required to consolidate a coherent pan-European legal space that reflects Council of Europe standards and findings fully, including in the areas of civil, public and private law and public international law.
 

The aim of the Council of Europe in this area is to achieve a pan-European legal area in which robust, independent, impartial, transparent and accessible institutions and procedures based on the rule of law exist at all levels.