Strasbourg, 27 January 2010

CEPEJ-BU(2010)1

EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR THE EFFICIENCY OF JUSTICE

(CEPEJ)

15th meeting of the Bureau

Strasbourg, 22 January 2010

MEETING REPORT

Report prepared by the Secretariat

Directorate General of Human Rights and Legal Affairs

1.    The Bureau of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) held its 15th meeting in Strasbourg on 21 January 2010, with Mr Fausto de SANTIS (Italy), President of the CEPEJ, in the chair.

2.    The meeting was also attended by the following Bureau members:

§  Ms Elsa GARCIA MALTRAS de BLAS (Spain);

§  Mr John STACEY (United Kingdom), Vice-President of the CEPEJ;

§  Mr Georg STAWA (Austria).

3.    The agenda is appended.

1.   Information by the Bureau members and the Secretariat

4.    John STACEY indicated that, the Chair of the CEPEJ-GT-EXE, John MARSTON (United Kingdom) and himself had been recently interviewed on the activities of the CEPEJ by the Magazine “Credit Today”, an important trade magazine and a great platform in the UK. An article would be published.

2.   Implementation of the 2010 activity program

2.1 Calendar of meetings

5.    The meeting timetable can be consulted on the CEPEJ Internet site. All the meetings as presented at the plenary meeting of the CEPEJ in December 2009 are confirmed.

2.2 Appointment of the experts of the working groups

6.    The full composition of the working groups for 2010 appears in Appendix 2. As there were more candidatures than positions to be filled (6 persons) in the Steering Group of the SATURN Centre and the CEPEJ-GT-QUAL, the Bureau gave due consideration to the terms of reference of the Groups (in particular the need to have an appropriate representation of legal and judicial practitioners), as well as to the functioning of these groups in the previous year (in particular as regards the regular participation of the experts in the meetings), to decide on the composition of the groups.

7.    The Bureau thanked all the candidates for their interest in the work of the CEPEJ and paid tribute, in particular, to the experts who had worked as members of the Groups. It recalled that the candidates who were not appointed as members of the Group could, with the agreement of their authorities, take part in the working groups at the expenses of their governments.

8.    Considering the valuable work and contributions of Mr UZELAC (Croatia) in the achievements of the Steering Group of the SATURN Centre, the Bureau decided to invite him to participate in the next meeting of the Group as well asin the plenary meeting of the Network of Pilot courts (Geneva, 12-14 April 2010) as a scientific expert.

2.3 Evaluation of judicial systems

9.     The Secretariat informed that 17 countries had finalised their answers to the electronic questionnaire so far. Most of the other countries were still working on it and had regular contacts with the Secretariat.

10.  The Bureau stressed that it was topical that all member states take part in the evaluation process. It entrusted the Secretariat to take the necessary steps to ensure in particular the participation of Greece, Montenegro, Serbia and Ukraine for which no replied had been received. It also recalled their wish that Germany reconsidered its decision not to join the process this time, because of the burden tied with the specific organisation of federal states.

11.  The Bureau proposed that the 2010 Edition of the report be presented to the media possibly in Paris, after its presentation to the Committee of Ministers on 29 September 2010.

12.  Considering the EU Stockholm programme and previous discussions with high representatives of the European Union's bodies, the Bureau agreed that the report could also be presented in Brussels to the delegations of the EU member states and the relevant departments in the European Commission, as well as to the LIBE commission of the European Parliament, possibly in Strasbourg during a EP session. It suggested that members of the CCJE and CCPE could also take part in such presentations. The Bureau entrusted the Secretariat to organise these events.

13.  The Secretariat informed that a 2010 peer evaluation visits would take place with five Nordic countries together (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland) on 19 - 20 May 2010 in Oslo. It expected confirmations from Turkey, Moldova and Croatia to organise further peer visits. The Bureau stressed the specific interest of organising a visit to Moldova.

2.4 SATURN Centre

14.  Mr Jacques BÜHLER (Switzerland), who attended this specific agenda item at the invitation of the Bureau, gave details on the organisation of the next meetings of the Steering group of the SATURN Centre and the Pilots Courts in Geneva on 12-14 April 2010.

2.5 Measurement of the performance of judicial systems and courts: follow up to the study session

15.  The Secretariat informed that a special file, including the presentations given at the CEPEJ's study session on 9 December 2009 as well as other relevant references would be posted on the CEPEJ's Web site.

16.  Considering the discussion at the study session, the Bureau instructed the CEPEJ-GT-EVAL to further think on the issue: “is there an ideal size for a court?” and the CEPEJ-GT-QUAL to give due consideration to the measurement of court performance in its work. It stressed that the Pilots courts could also work on the subject at their plenary meeting.

2.6 Targeted cooperation

17.  John STACEY informed that the experts were finalising the report on the functioning of the justice system in Malta. The Bureau proposed that the expert team meets once again the experts of Malta to present and discuss the report. He indicated that John MARTSON (2009 Chair of the CEPEJ-GT-EXE) would go to Malta (outside the CEPEJ's scope) to work on their enforcement system. His findings could be taken into account in the CEPEJ's report.

18.  Armenia, Azerbaijan and Croatia indicated at the last plenary meeting of the CEPEJ that targeted cooperation activities would be requested in 2010. No formal request was received at this stage. The Secretariat would inform the members of the Bureau so that a proper decision can be taken when appropriate.

19.  The Secretariat informed the Bureau that the Secretary General agreed that CEPEJ undertakes an assessment of the justice system in the United Arab Emirates, following to the request addressed to the CEPEJ by this non member state. John STACEY, Georg STAWA, François PAYCHERE (Switzerland) were appointed by the Bureau in an expert team. The Bureau agreed that they could be joined by a member of the CCJE. The fact finding visit to Abu Dhabi would take place on 23 – 25 February 2010. The Abu Dhabi judicial department sent terms of reference as well as answers to the CEPEJ's questionnaire on "Key indicators of judicial systems".

2.7 European Day of Justice and “Crystal Scales of Justice”

20.  The Secretariat proposed that the main event of the European Day of Justice takes place in Strasbourg court, possibly on 23 October 2010. A coordination meeting with the European Commission would take place in Brussels on 26 January 2010. The organisation of the 2010 "Crystal Scales of Justice" would also be discussed at this meeting.

2.8 Representation of the CEPEJ in other meetings

21.  The Bureau entrusted the Secretariat to organise the representation of CEPEJ in other Council of Europe's committees on a case by case basis, according to the agendas, either by a member of the CEPEJ or by the Secretariat. The Bureau stressed in particular the representation of CEPEJ in the CCJE and the CCPE, and vice-versa. The presence of members of the CCJE and CCPE while presenting the 2010 Edition of the report "European Judicial Systems" was proposed.

3.   Integration of the Lisbon Network within the CEPEJ’s activity program: definition of working modalities

22.  The Bureau entrusted the Secretariat to inform formally the members of the Lisbon Network about the CEPEJ’s decision to include the Lisbon Network within its activity programme and to invite its members to indicate their expectations vis-à-vis the CEPEJ in this new framework.

23.  It stressed that the Network should be used to make the CEPEJ's tools and measures better known by the judicial staff in the member states through the judicial training institutions and that CEPEJ could offer to the judicial institutions its expertise to strengthen specific curricula focused on efficiency and quality of justice systems, namely as regards court management and case flow management.

24.  The Bureau instructed the Secretariat to prepare a detailed document proposing working modalities with the Lisbon Network, taking into account the proposals received by the judicial institutions.

25.  The Bureau entrusted Elsa GARCIA MALTRAS de BLAS to make a report about other existing Networks and their actions, bearing in mind, in particular that duplications must be avoided.

4.   Preparation of the 2009 Activity Report

26.  The Bureau instructed the Secretariat to prepare a draft 2009 activity report on the basis of the 2008 report. The draft would be sent by e-mail to the Bureau members for approval before being submitted to the 15th plenary CEPEJ meeting.

5.   Co-operation with the European Union

27.  The Bureau was satisfied with the drafting of the Stockholm Programme as regards evaluation of justice systems. In order to give concrete follow up to the position of principle according to which synergies must be set up between the CEPEJ's evaluation process and the specific need of the European Union, the Bureau proposed that the 2010 report be presented in Brussels to the delegations of the EU member states and to the European Commission, as well as to the LIBE commission of the European Parliament (see para.13 above).

6.   Setting up of a CEPEJ scientific network

28.  Owing to a lack of time and human resources, the Secretariat had not taken further steps for setting up a CEPEJ's scientific network. The Bureau agreed to keep this issue on the agenda for a next meeting.

7.    Individual complaints to the CEPEJ about judicial matters

29.  There were no specific complaints to be examined by the Bureau.

8.    Other business

30.  Jacques BUHLER, member of the CEPEJ in respect of Switzerland, and Mike HALFAR, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, who were invited by the Bureau for this specific item, introduced an IT tool developed by the Federal Department to facilitate the drafting and review of reports by several contributors on a secured internet platform. Several authorised persons can then work on the same report at the same time and on the same version.

31.  A test would be done with the draft CEPEJ's report on Malta. It could be of use to draft most of the CEPEJ's report - as well as other Council of Europe's reports.

32.  This tool could be provided by the Swiss authorities to the Council of Europe, within the framework of the Swiss Presidency of the Organisation, according to modalities to be further discussed.

Appendix 1

AGENDA

1.    Adoption of the agenda

2.   Information by the President of the CEPEJ and the Secretariat /

3.   Implementation of the 2010 Activity programme /

a.    Calendar of the meetings

b.    Appointment of the experts of the working groups /

c.    Evaluation of judicial systems

§  Situation of the answers to the Evaluation Scheme /

§  Peer review cooperation process /

d.    SATURN Centre

§  Information on the meeting in Geneva (12 – 14 April 2010) /

e.    Measurement of the performance of judicial systems and courts: follow up to the study session

f.     Targeted cooperation

§  Armenia

§  Azerbaijan

§  Croatia

§  Malta

§  United Arab Emirates

g.    European Day of Justice and "Crystal Scales of Justice" 

h.    Representation of the CEPEJ in other meetings

4.    Integration of the Lisbon Network within the CEPEJ's activity programme: definition of working modalities /

5.    Preparation of the Activity Report 2009

6.    Co-operation with the European Union

7.    Setting up of a CEPEJ's Scientific Network

8.    Individual complaints submitted to the CEPEJ concerning justice matters

9.    Any other business

Appendix 2

Composition of the Working groups for 2010 as decided by the Bureau of the CEPEJ

Composition des Groupes de Travail pour 2010 telle que décidée par le Bureau de la CEPEJ

1. Experts appointed by the Bureau / Experts nommés par le Bureau

Country / Pays	Name / Nom	Title / Fonction
Spain / Espagne	Elsa GARCIA MALTRAS de BLAS	Prosecutor, Legal Advisor,  DG International Legal Cooperation, Ministry of Justice Procureur, Conseillère juridique à la DG des relations juridiques internationales, Ministère de la Justice
Poland / Pologne	Beata  GRUSZCZYŃSKA	Institute of Justice, Ministry of Justice Institut de la Justice, Ministère de la Justice
Bosnia and Herzegovina / Bonsie-Herzégovine	Adis HODZIC	Head of the Budget and Statistics Department in the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BiH Chef du Service du Budget et de la Statistique du Conseil Supérieur de la Magistrature de BiH
France	Jean-Paul JEAN	Prosecutor, Court of Appeal of Paris, Associated Professor at the Law Faculty of Limoges Procueur près la Cour d'Appel de Paris, Professeur associé à la Faculté de droit de Limoges
Autriche / Austria	Georg STAWA	Prosecutor, Directorate for Central Administration and Coordination, Ministry of Justice Procureur, Direction pour l'Administration et la Coordination, Ministère de la Justice
Croatia / Croatie	Drazen TRIPALO	Judge at the Criminal Department of the Supreme Court Juge à la Chambre criminelle de la Cour Suprême

2. The following experts will also participate in the Working Group, ath the expenses of their government / Les experts suivants participeront au Groupe de travail aux frais de leur gouvernement

Netherlands / Pays-Bas	Frans  VAN DER DOELEN	Advisor at the Directorate General for the Administration of Justice and Law Enforcement, Judicial System Department, Ministry of Justice Conseiller à la Direction Générale de l'administration de la justice et de l'application du droit, Service du système judiciaire, Ministère de la Justice
Russian Federation / Fédération de Russie	Tatiana KOBOZEVA	Deputy Head of the Division of Judicial Statistics of the Judicial Statistics of the Judicial Dept at the Surpeme Court of the RF / Chef adjoint à la Division des statistiques judiciaires du Dépt juridique à la Cour suprême de la FR

3. The following organisations will also participate in the Working Group Group as observer / les organisations suivantes participeront au Groupe de travail en tant qu’observateur

European Union of Rechtspfleger (EUR) / Union européenne des greffiers de justice et Rechtspfleger (EUR)

Harald WILSCH

4. The President of th CEPEJ can participate in the Working Group / Le Président de la CEPEJ peut participer au Groupe de Travail.

5. The following bodies are invited to participate in the Working Group as observers / Les instances suivantes sont invitées à participer au Groupe de Travail en tant qu'observateur:

§  European Union bodies  / Instances de l'Union européenne

§  World Bank / Banque Mondiale

1. Experts appointed by the Bureau / Experts nommés par le Bureau

Country / Pays	Name / Nom	Title / Fonction
Georgia / Géorgie	Irakli ADEISHVILI	Chair of Civil Chamber of Tbilisi District Court Président de la Chambre civile du tribunal du district de Tbilissi
Switzerland / Suisse	Jacques BÜHLER	Deputy Secretary General, Swiss Federal Court Secrétaire Général suppléant, Tribunal fédéral suisse
Malta / malte	Franscesco DEPASQUALE	Legal Advisor to the Director General (Courts), Legal Office, the Law Courts Conseiller juridique auprès du Directeur Général (Tribunaux), Bureau juridique, Tribunaux
Norway / Norvège	Jon JOHNSEN	Professor in Law, University of Oslo Professeur de Droit, Université d'Oslo
Italy / Italie	Giacomo OBERTO	Judge of cassation at the First Instance Court of Torino (Civil Chamber) Juge de Cassation au Tribunal de Grande Instance de Turin (Chambre civile)
Czech Republic / République tchèque	Jana WURSTOVA	Lawyer, Adviser at Czech Bar Association, CCBE member Avocat, Conseiller auprès du Barreau tchèque, membre du CCBE

2. The following experts will also participate in the Working Group, ath the expenses of their government / Les experts suivants participeront au Groupe de travail aux frais de leur gouvernement

Croatia / Croatie	Alan UZELAC	Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb Professeur à la Faculté de droit, Université de Zagreb
United Kingdom / Royaume Uni	John STACEY	Head of International Development for Court Administration, International Directorate, Ministry of Justice Chef du Développement international pour l'administration de la justice, Direction internationale, Ministère de la justice

3. The following organisations will also participate in the Working Group Group as observer / les organisations suivantes participeront au Groupe de travail en tant qu’observateur leurs propres frais

European Union of Rechtspfleger (EUR) / Union européenne des greffiers de justice et Rechtspfleger (EUR)

Michel CRAMET

4. The President of th CEPEJ can participate in the Working Group / Le Président de la CEPEJ peut participer au Groupe de Travail.

5. The following bodies are invited to participate in the Working Group as observers / Les instances suivantes sont invitées à participer au Groupe de Travail en tant qu'observateurs :

§  European Union bodies  / Instances de l'Union européenne

§  World Bank / Banque Mondiale

1. Experts appointed by the Bureau / Experts nommés par le Bureau

Country / Pays	Name / Nom	Title / Fonction
France	Serge PETIT	Avocat général à la Cour de cassation Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation
Italy /Italie	Fabio BARTOLOMEO	Director General of the Department of Statitics, Ministry of Justice Directeur général des statistiques, Ministère de la justice
Moldova	Andrei CHIRIAC	Lawyer, Doctor of Law Avocat, Docteur en Droit, Maître de Conférences,
Portugal	Joao ARSENIO DE OLIVEIRA	Judicial Counselor, Directorate General for Justice Policy, Ministry of  Justice Conseiller juridique, Direction Générale des questions politiques, Ministère de la justice
Switzerland / Suisse	François PAYCHERE	Judge at the Court of Justice of the Repubic and Geneva District Juge à la Cour de justice de la République et canton de Genève
United Kingdom / Royaume Uni	John STACEY	Head of International Development for Court Administration, International Directorate, Ministry of Justice Chef du Développement international pour l'administration de la justice, Direction internationale, Ministère de la justice

2. The following experts will also participate in the Working Group, ath the expenses of their government / Les experts suivants participeront au Groupe de travail aux frais de leur gouvernement

The Netherlands / Pays-Bas	Y. TEMPELMAN	Quality Bureau of the Dutch Council for the Judiciary Bureau de la Qualité du Conseil de la Justcie des Payx-Bas
Russian Federation / Fédération de Russie	Tatiana KOBOZEVA	Deputy Head of Division of Judicial Statistics of the Judicial Dept at the Supreme Court of the RF Councilor at the Office of Representative of the RF at the ECHR Chef adjoint de la Division des statistiques judiciaires du Dept juridique à la Cour Suprême de la FR Conseiller au Bureau du Représentant de la FR à la CEDH

3. The following organisations will also participate in the Working Group Group as observer / les organisations suivantes participeront au Groupe de travail en tant qu’observateur

European Union of Rechtspfleger (EUR) / Union européenne des greffiers de justice et Rechtspfleger (EUR)

Jean-Jacques KUSTER

4. The President of th CEPEJ can participate in the Working Group / Le Président de la CEPEJ peut participer au Groupe de Travail.

5. The following bodies are invited to participate in the Working Group as observers / Les instances suivantes sont invitées à participer au Groupe de Travail en tant qu'observateurs

§  European Union bodies  / Instances de l'Union européenne

§  World Bank / Banque Mondiale

§  European Network of Judicial Councils (ENJC) / Réseau Européen des Conseils de la Justice (RECJ)