CEPEJ 2026: Balancing Technological Innovation and Human-Centred Justice in judicial system

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46th CEPEJ plenary meeting

A Clear Guiding Principle: Technology as a Support Tool, Never a Substitute

The CEPEJ’s work has confirmed a view that is now widely held: digital tools – automation, artificial intelligence and e-justice – must improve the system’s efficiency without altering its profoundly human nature.

The opening roundtable provided an opportunity to clarify these key issues:

• Automation can streamline repetitive tasks;
• Artificial intelligence, which is based on probabilistic approaches, requires enhanced human oversight;
• The central question is not “how far can automation go?”, but rather what should never be automated.

This reflection is directly relevant to the role of judicial experts. Their technical assessment—grounded in context, subject to adversarial scrutiny, and supported by reasoned analysis—constitutes precisely one of those functions that is inherently difficult to automate.

Judicial Systems Undergoing Rapid Transformation

Member States presented concrete developments that illustrate this transformation:

• automation of administrative tasks (Spain);
• AI-driven projects supporting the analysis of cases and the preparation of judicial decisions (France);
• fully digitalised procedures (Croatia);
• an integrated digital courts strategy (Estonia).

These developments are profoundly reshaping the judicial landscape by:

• increasing the role of digital tools;
• redefining the responsibilities of judicial stakeholders;
• creating the need for new models of governance for judicial processes.

Strengthening the EEEI’s Strategic Presence within the CEPEJ

In light of the rapid changes taking place within European judicial systems, it is essential for the EEEI to organise its involvement in the work of the CEPEJ. Setting up a dedicated team, comprising around a dozen members, would ensure continuous and visible participation in both plenary meetings and the main working groups.

Such an organisational structure would ensure that the EEEI is consistently represented, that there is continuity in dialogue and, above all, that it has a greater capacity to influence ongoing discussions and policy directions. The challenge is no longer simply to be present, but to play a fully active role in the developments currently taking place.

Focusing on the priorities that will shape the justice system of the future

The EEEI’s action should be aligned with the CEPEJ’s current priorities by focusing on the most strategic working groups. Issues relating to cyberjustice and artificial intelligence now occupy a central place in the digital transformation of judicial systems. Work on the efficiency of judicial proceedings directly affects the organisation and duration of expert examinations, while initiatives dedicated to quality contribute to the development of standards and guidelines governing judicial expertise. Finally, evaluation activities provide an opportunity to reaffirm the role of judicial experts in the assessment and continuous improvement of justice systems.

This reflection was further enriched during the 46th Plenary Meeting by a high-level roundtable devoted to the opportunities and limitations of the automation of judicial processes. The discussion brought together:

• Manuel OLMEDO PALACIOS (Spain), Secretary of State at the Ministry of the Presidency, Justice, and Relations with the Courts;
• Sonya DJEMNI-WAGNER (France), Advocate General at the Court of Cassation and Special Adviser to the Prosecutor General;
• Ivan CRNČEC (Croatia), State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation and Vice-President of the CEPEJ;
• and Margit LAURI (Estonia), Adviser at the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs.

The national presentations provided concrete examples of the approaches adopted by the States:

• Spain : Main successes and latest automation developments in Justice in Spain,
• France : Automate to gain efficiency, equip the judge without dispossessing them,
• Croatia : Automated preparation of decisions, fully digital personal bankruptcy case,
• Estonia : Towards fully digital courts with AI

Through this positioning, the EEEI should pursue a clear objective: to move from being a user of standards to becoming a genuine co-creator of them.

Fully Aligning with European Priorities

The EEEI team project is fully aligned with the priorities promoted by the CEPEJ:

• an interprofessional approach based on cooperation among all stakeholders in the justice system;
• a human-centred justice system focused on the quality of judicial decisions;
• a well-managed digital transformation that fully incorporates the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence.

Through this approach, the EEEI positions itself as an active contributor to the ongoing evolution of justice systems across Europe.

Preserving the Human Added Value of Judicial Expertise

In a context of rapid technological transformation, it is important to emphasise that judicial expertise is not disappearing—it is evolving. Judicial experts remain essential participants in legal proceedings, providing in-depth analysis of complex matters, confronting different technical perspectives, and assisting judges in situations that are often characterised by uncertainty.

Their contribution helps to ensure the quality, relevance, and fairness of judicial decisions. In this respect, judicial expertise clearly belongs among those functions that are inherently and irreducibly human, and which technological developments cannot replace.

This recognition of the expert’s role calls, in the EEEI’s view, for institutional acknowledgement through the formal inclusion of judicial experts among the “legal practitioners” recognised by European institutions.

The CEPEJ has already demonstrated a genuine appreciation of the importance of judicial experts for the efficiency and quality of justice. Nevertheless, further progress is needed to ensure that this recognition is fully reflected in both legal frameworks and professional practices. This remains an important objective that must continue to be pursued.

Key Takeaways

The establishment of a dedicated CEPEJ team represents a major strategic opportunity for the EEEI. It will strengthen the Institute’s visibility, enhance its ability to contribute to ongoing developments, and help shape a justice system that is innovative, efficient, and profoundly human.

EEEI warmly thanks the CEPEJ for its hospitality, as well as Ivan Crnčec, State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation, for the excellent organisation of these two days. The programme, enriched by visits and cultural activities, also provided participants with the opportunity to discover a truly beautiful country.

EEEI warmly thanks the CEPEJ for its hospitality, as well as Ivan Crnčec, State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation, for the excellent organisation of these two days. The programme, enriched by visits and cultural activities, also provided participants with the opportunity to discover a truly beautiful country.