EEEI Anniversary Day
This anniversary was celebrated on 13 May 2026 in the prestigious setting of the Palace of Europe, the headquarters of the Council of Europe and a symbol of the defence of human rights.
Etienne Claes, President of the EEEI, opened the event by looking back over the institute’s 20 years of commitment and reiterating the principles underpinning its work. Against the current backdrop of digital transformation and the rise of artificial intelligence, he emphasised the need to promote high-quality forensic expertise, based on shared standards.
A founding vision promoting convergence
Established in 2006, the EEEI brings together judges, researchers, lawyers, and experts to support developments in the law and judicial systems.
From the outset, this multidisciplinary approach has helped to establish a common objective: to promote the harmonisation of expert assessment practices at European level.
Today, the Institute comprises 55 European organisations and 120 individual members, illustrating its pivotal role within the European judicial area.
An anniversary celebrated at the heart of the European institutions
The event brought together 54 participants from 10 countries (France, Luxembourg, Romania, Italy, the Netherlands, Malta, North Macedonia, Germany, Belgium, and Portugal). This demonstrates the EEEI’s European roots and illustrates its geographical diversity. Nearly half of the participants were experts, alongside presidents of expert associations, as well as representatives from the judicial and institutional sectors — magistrates, lawyers, ministries of justice — and the academic world. This diversity fully reflects the EEEI’s multidisciplinary remit and its ability to bring together stakeholders in the field of forensic expertise at European level.
Statutory General Meeting and commemorative meeting marking the 20th anniversary of the EEEI
The morning began with the statutory general meeting, followed by a commemorative session marking the Institute’s 20th anniversary.
In addition to the approval of the activity reports, the financial report and the budget, the Annual General Meeting saw the re-election of Etienne Claes as Chair and the election of new members to the Executive Committee: Arnaud Cueille, Sylvie Patte-Castanie, Patrick Bernard and Amos Giardino. We would like to welcome them.
A tribute to the founders and a look back at 20 years of work
In his opening remarks, the President of the EEEI paid tribute to the vision of the founders – Jean-Raymond Lemaire, Philippe Jacquemin and Jacques Melin – who laid the foundations for cooperation among all those involved in forensic expertise.
Their efforts have made it possible to:
- to recall the early days of this pioneering venture;
- to review the key development projects carried out over the last 20 years;
- to outline the challenges and prospects for the coming decade.
These discussions have confirmed the EEEI’s position as a leading European think tank.
Several members of the EEEI were unable to join us, but were keen to let us know of their commitment.
A tribute to the Institute’s key figures
A particularly memorable moment of the day was the tribute paid by Nathalie Sillon, the EEEI’s executive assistant, to the secretaries and project assistants who have supported the Institute since its inception.
She emphasised that this role, though often behind the scenes yet essential, is a truly vital cog in the EEEI’s machinery. Filled over the years with limited resources, and sometimes on a voluntary basis, it relies on a constant commitment to supporting ambitious European projects.
Nathalie Sillon paid tribute to these professionals who, with diligence and determination, have ensured the continuity of the Institute’s activities and contributed to its development.
Warm thanks were extended to:
Françoise Cerisier, Jennifer Duros, Michèle Di Gessa, and the project assistants Alix Loubeyre, Paul-Louis Eslaut, Maïa El Alaoui and Aurélie Dardenne.
This tribute highlighted the work, often described as ‘painstaking’, which has been essential to the running and organisation of the EEEI for the past 20 years.
The afternoon presentations
The afternoon presentations highlighted the key issue of the growing impact of digital technology on forensic expertise.
- Presentation of the work of the ‘AI and Expertise’ group by Priscilla Pisani, consultant and vice-president of the EEEI
- Presentation of the EuroLegalBot tool by Benoit de Clerck, IT expert and former president of the EEEI.
- Speech by Francesco De Pasquale, President of the CEPEJ.
- Presentation of the CEPEJ’s work by Jeannette Verspui, Head of the Strategy Department at the Judicial Council and Senior Judge at the Gelderland District Court (Netherlands), Chair of the Working Group on Cyberjustice and Artificial Intelligence (CEPEJ-GT-CYBERJUST).
- Due to technical constraints, the presentation by João Arsénio de Oliveira, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Justice Policy at the Ministry of Justice, Lisbon (Portugal), unfortunately could not take place. He is also Chair of the Working Group on the Quality of Justice (CEPEJ-GT-QUAL). To enable readers to familiarise themselves with his analysis, his presentation is attached to this article.
AI and digital tools: a turning point for working practices
Artificial intelligence, already being used by a growing number of experts, is profoundly transforming working practices. Against this backdrop, the EEEI is developing innovative tools such as EuroLegalBot, designed to facilitate judicial cooperation, particularly in the context of European arrest warrants.
These advances highlight the need to adapt professionals’ knowledge and practices to new technologies.
Closer cooperation with the CEPEJ
The presentation of the work of the CEPEJ (European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice) highlighted the importance of close cooperation between institutions, judges, experts and legal professionals.
EEEI, as an active observer, contributes fully to this work aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of judicial systems across Europe.
A vision for the coming decade
Beyond taking stock, this anniversary has provided an opportunity to set out the broad strategic direction for the future:
- to strengthen European judicial cooperation;
- to continue harmonising valuation practices;
- support the digital transition;
- to develop common standards at European level.
EEEI intends to continue its role as a platform for exchange and reflection, working towards a more effective and reliable justice system.
A collective commitment
The meeting was also honoured by the presence of Julie Mitton, an Italian translator and interpreter, loyal supporter and contributor to the Institute’s work. Her testimony illustrates the continuity and strength of the EEEI network.
Staying on course: strengthening confidence in the European justice system
These past 20 years have confirmed the relevance of the EEEI’s mission: to make forensic expertise a key driver of quality and trust.
We are now looking to the future with a firm conviction. Modernisation of the justice system in Europe will require expertise that is strengthened, harmonised and fully integrated with technological developments.
The presentations
Presentation by Priscilla Pisani
Presentation by Benoit de Clerck
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