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JUDICIAL COOPERATION IN CRIMINAL MATTERS >

Judicial cooperation in criminal matters: European judicial training network

An initiative of the French Republic seeks adoption by the Council of a Decision setting up a European judicial training network. The network will serve to improve mutual understanding of Member States' legal systems, notably among judges and prosecutors. It will therefore help to improve the practical functioning of judicial cooperation within the European Union.

PROPOSAL

Initiative of the French Republic with a view to adopting a Council Decision setting up a European judicial training network [Official Journal C 18 of 19.01.2001].

SUMMARY

A sound knowledge on the part of European judges and prosecutors of their respective legal systems is a sine qua non for the success of the European judicial area. Training should therefore allow the gradual emergence of a genuine European judicial culture. The various programmes set up by the European Union, and especially the Grotius programme, have already enabled a number of magistrates to meet in order to exchange experiences and get to know the legal situation in other Member States.

The aim of the proposal is to enable national schools and institutions with the specific task of training judges and prosecutors in the Member States to meet on a regular basis and take advantage of the resources available in order to develop common programmes and training tools in due course.

In the initial stages, the Network will build up its activities solely in criminal matters. The Network's objectives will be:

• to further mutual knowledge of the legal and judicial systems;
• to improve the use of European and international instruments;
• to exchange experience and identify training needs;
• to encourage the coordination of judicial training programmes planned by the Member States;
• to develop training measures for members of the judiciary.

Every year the Network will present a programme of activities designed to encourage:

• knowledge of European judicial systems and cooperation mechanisms;
• language skills;
• organisation of training courses and exchanges;
• the development of training programmes for members of the judiciary and for trainers themselves.

In order to achieve effective communication between the members of the Network, electronic means will be used and a web site accessible to the public will be created.

The initiative suggests giving the role of Secretariat to the Commission. The bodies of the Network will be the Governing Board and the Secretariat. The Governing Board will adopt the annual programme.

The annual activities report, prepared by the Secretary-General and adopted by the Governing Board, will be forwarded to the Commission, the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee.

The functioning of the network will be financed by the general budget of the European Union.

RELATED ACTS

Legislative resolution of the European Parliament on the initiative of the French Republic with a view to adopting a Council Decision setting up a European judicial training network [CNS(2000) 0829 - Official Journal C 273 E of 14.11.2003]
As part of the consultation procedure, the European Parliament issued a Resolution on this initiative on 24 September 2002. It amended several aspects of the initiative and called upon the Council to adopt it as amended.

For further information, please consult the European Commission website, Freedom, Security and Justice Directorate-General: Common EU-level further training for judges and prosecutors.

Last updated: 13.10.2005

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