During its ad-hoc meeting by videoconference on 10 June 2020, organised in the framework of the Greek Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) adopted the "Declaration on lessons learnt and challenges faced by the judiciary during and after the COVID-19 pandemic".

During the meeting, the discussions made it possible to share the experiences and good practices developed during the crisis - such as the increased use of information technology and new methods of management and organisation of work with respect for legal professionals - and to draw lessons from them which should in particular enable member States to prepare themselves to face a similar situation in the future.

In its Declaration, the CEPEJ therefore calls on the member States to strengthen and perpetuate the innovative practices which have been introduced to ensure the continuity and efficiency of the public service of justice while guaranteeing respect for the rights of litigants and the principle of a fair trial.

More information:

• Opening speech of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić
• Concluding remarks by Hanne Juncher, Head, Justice and Legal Co-operation Department, Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law 
• Programme of the meeting
• Compilation of measures in Member and Observer States
• CEPEJ special website "Impact and lessons of the health crisis on the efficiency of justice and the functioning of judicial systems"
• Jean-Paul Jean's study on justice systems in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic