The General Assembly of the EUR (Europäische Union der Rechtspfleger) took place in Tallinn, Estonia, on September 19, 2024. The international conference organized in that relation was inaugurated with video messages from Villu Kove, President of the Supreme Court of Estonia, and Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Minister of Justice of Estonia. Both speakers emphasized the importance of digitalizing the justice system while underscoring the need for strong data protection measures.
Following their remarks, Marek Vahing, Chairman of the Tartu County Court, extended his greetings, highlighting the essential role of humans in using IT systems and AI. He stressed that people should always remain at the core of every process.
Francesco Depasquale, President of CEPEJ (The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice), addressed the audience during the opening ceremony, expressing his gratitude to the EUR for their long-standing cooperation. He emphasized the pivotal role of court staff in the justice system and conveyed his belief that digitalization will shape the future of the judiciary, from digital case management to AI-assisted decision-making.
In his opening speech, Walter Szöky, President of the EUR, drew the audience’s attention to the implications of AI in the judiciary.
The first presentation was delivered by Evar Somer from the Ministry of Justice, who provided an insightful and compelling overview of Estonia as a highly advanced “e-State.” He concluded that digital solutions cannot be simply “copy-pasted” from one country to another but must be tailored to fit the specific circumstances and needs of each nation.
The session continued with introductions to the Estonian Land Register and the Estonian Business Register.
In the afternoon, the audience was introduced to expedited order-for-payment proceedings, along with AI solutions implemented in Estonian e-law.
The conference concluded with a presentation by Francesco Depasquale, President of CEPEJ (The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice), discussing the European perspective on digital solutions in the justice system, including both past and future CEPEJ guidelines in this area.
Representing UIHJ, Marc Schmitz, President, and Patrick Gielen, Board Secretary, attended the General Assembly of EUR (Europäische Union der Rechtspfleger).
From the left to the right : Patrick Gielen, secretary of the UIHJ board, Walter Szöky, president of the EUR, Marc Schmitz, president of the UIHJ, and Francesco Depasquale, president of the CEPEJ
