Promoting uses of technology that enhance the justice system and enable more efficient, timely, and accessible justice for all is a key responsibility of any modern judiciary. However, technology must be introduced thoughtfully and carefully: encouraging the use of technology and online hearings whilst also providing that fair trial rights are met, and transparent open justice is observed for hearings is vital for rule of law and human rights.
Speakers for this series offer wide-ranging, regional, and international perspectives. Guest speakers include judges, lawyers, academics, researchers, and leading voices from NGO and CSO organizations together with subject matter experts from European Institutions.
This initiative forms part of our work with the Judicial Network in Central and Eastern Europe. There are currently 25 judges from the region taking part and exploring topics such as E-justice, Remote Judging International Standards, Fair Trials, Rule of Law, and Human Rights.
Seminar One
Judging During The Pandemic: Safeguarding Rights And Judicial Wellness
INSIGHTS FROM BULGARIA AND THE US
PANEL:
Judge Radoslava Nikolaeva Kacherilska, Sofia Regional Court in Bulgaria.
Judge Jeremy Fogel (Ret.), Director of the Berkeley Judicial Institute.
Moderator: Rachel Murray, Professor of International Human Rights Law at the University of Bristol, Director Human Rights Implementation Centre at the University of Bristol.
Freda Grealy
Radoslava Kacherilska
Jeremy Fogel
Seminar Two
International Standards And Remote Judging
This seminar discusses remote judging, how to determine urgency, and the applicability of international standards on fair trial and defendants’ rights. Andrea Huber (ODIHR) and Ilze Tralmaka (Fair Trials) offer their perspectives and provide an overview of the international standards and the right to a fair trial in particular the rights of the defense.
Introductions by Christopher Lehmann, Exectutive Director of the CEELI Institute.
PANEL:
Andrea Huber, Deputy Chief of Rule of Law at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
Ilze Tralmaka, Legal and Policy Officer at Fair Trials specializing in the right to a fair trial, specifically defence rights in criminal proceedings.
Moderator: Rachel Murray, Professor of International Human Rights Law at the University of Bristol, Director Human Rights Implementation Centre at the University of Bristol.
Andrea Huber
Freda Grealy
Rachel Murray
Ilze Tralmaka
Seminar Three
What is Remote Judging?
Practical Technological Matters and Electronic Evidence
In the third webinar in the Remote Judging Series, we identify pertinent issues that have arisen over the course of the discussion forums with the judges on the course and use these as case studies to discuss.
In this session on Practical Technological Matters Professor Marek Świerczyński and Judge Jackek Gołaczyński, (Court of Appeal in Wroclaw discuss the guidelines of the Council of Europe on electronic evidence and the digitization of the judiciary. They address the challenges of remote judging, practical difficulties with technology and electronic evidence tips for identifying practical solutions offered by the European guidelines.
Introductions by Freda Grealy, Program Manager at the CEELI Institute.
PANEL:
Professor Marek Świerczyński, Attorney at Law, Poland.
Judge Jacek Gołaczyński, Court of Appeal Wroclaw, Poland.
Moderator: Rachel Murray, Professor of International Human Rights Law at the University of Bristol, Director Human Rights Implementation Centre at the University of Bristol.
Freda Grealy
Rachel Murray
Marek Świerczyński
Jacek Golaczynski
Seminar Four
Best Practices for Remote Judging
Conclusions and lessons learned
In the final session of this series, we look back at the main themes and lessons learned throughout this effort and identify best practice examples of remote judging. In the session, we revisit some of the aspects of the right to a fair trial and consider what provisions may need to be in place in the future.
Introductions by Freda Grealy, Program Manager at the CEELI Institute.
Moderator: Rachel Murray, Professor of International Human Rights Law at the University of Bristol, Director Human Rights Implementation Centre at the University of Bristol.