The 2024 ELI Annual Conference took place from 9 till 11 October 2024 in Dublin in the premises of The King’s Inns. The King’s Inns in Dublin is Ireland’s oldest and most prestigious institution for legal education and training, founded in 1541 during the reign of King Henry VIII. The King’s Inns is responsible for providing legal education and qualification programs for those seeking to become barristers, as well as supporting the development and practice of the legal profession.
As an institution, the King’s Inns continues to play a key role in Ireland’s legal system, hosting legal education programs, moot court competitions, and various events for the legal community.
The Conference started on 9 October in the morning with a Council meeting which was attended by UIHJ President Marc Schmitz, in his capacity as ex-officio Council member.
The meeting opened with a brief welcome from ELI President Pascal Pichonnaz.
President Pascal Pichonnaz provided a report covering developments since the July 2024 Council meeting.
The proposed agenda focused on discussions and decisions about ongoing and prospective ELI projects.
The Council voted unanimously on the approval of the “ELI-Mount Scopus European Standards of Judicial Independence” project which is a collaborative project between the European Law Institute (ELI) and legal scholars from Mount Scopus (Jerusalem). Its primary goal is to develop a set of comprehensive standards that ensure judicial independence across Europe. Judicial independence is essential to uphold the rule of law, safeguard human rights, and maintain the integrity of the legal system.
The vote was followed by a discussion on selected projects. In this context, the update of ELI’s “Detention of Asylum Seekers and Irregular Migrants and the Rule of Law” was discussed, as well as the project on “Access to Digital Assets”, on which Jos Uitdehaag, first-vice president of the UIHJ has been co-reporter, was presented by Teresa Rodríguez de las Heras Ballell. The intermediate report is largely inspired by the Global Code on Digital Enforcement published by UIHJ.
Afterwards, the Council held an unanimously vote on the adoption of the “ALI-ELI Biometrics” project, which is is a joint initiative between the American Law Institute (ALI) and the European Law Institute (ELI), focusing on the legal and regulatory challenges posed by the increasing use of biometric technologies. These technologies include systems that recognize individuals based on physical or behavioral characteristics, such as facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, voice recognition, and iris scanning.
The meeting concluded with an open session for additional matters after the presentation of the financial report, but no further significant issues were raised.
The afternoon session started with a welcome address from ELI president Pascal Pichonnaz followed by the sixth Ole Lando Memorial Lecture.
The first day ended with an event on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and GDPR, as well as the presentation of the ELI Young Lawyers Award at the Law Society of Ireland.
The second day started with a Networking Breakfast for sustaining members, setting the stage for collaboration among prominent figures in law and policy.
The first panel of the morning session, titled Advance Choices for Future Disablement, explored emerging legal frameworks designed to support individuals facing disability. Moderated by Pietro Sirena, a professor at Bocconi University, the panel included contributions from Adrian Ward (NHS Trusts), Klena Vysoka (European Commission), and other legal experts. Discussions focused on decision-making options for people with disabilities and potential policy reforms.
After a brief coffee break, the conference continued with Panel 2: Enterprise Foundations in Europe, chaired by Anne Birgitte Gammeljord. Participants explored the role of enterprise foundations in societal development, with panelists including Steen Thomsen (Copenhagen Business School) and Oonagh Breen (University College Dublin). The conversation touched on governance, regulation, and the growing importance of these foundations in the European economy.
The Keynote Panel promised to be a highlight of the day, featuring Pascal Pichonnaz, President of the European Law Institute (ELI), and other prominent speakers such as Marko Bošnjak (European Court of Human Rights) and Michael O’Flaherty (Council of Europe). This session focused on human rights, legal protections, and the evolving role of European institutions in safeguarding justice.
The afternoon was dedicated to the third panel, Digitalisation of Civil Justice Systems in Europe, chaired by Sir Geoffrey Vos, a prominent figure in the UK’s legal system. Panelists, including Dirk Staudenmayer from the European Commission and Georg Kodek from the Austrian Supreme Court, discussed how digital technologies are transforming civil justice systems across Europe, making them more efficient and accessible.
The third day began with Panel 4: Extra-Judicial Administration of Justice in Cross-Border Family and Succession Matters, chaired by Pascal Pichonnaz, President of the European Law Institute (ELI). The panel addressed the growing complexities in resolving family and succession matters that span multiple jurisdictions.
The day continued with Panel 5: AI and Automated Decision-Making: A Threat to the Rights of Citizens?, chaired by Savvas S. Papasavvas, Vice-President of the General Court of the European Union. This session explored the ethical and legal risks posed by the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in decision-making processes.
After a stimulating discussion on AI, the afternoon session began with the Membership Meeting, where members of the European Law Institute gathered to discuss organizational matters. Updates on current projects were provided, and members were encouraged to engage in shaping the Institute’s future initiatives.
The conference concluded with a closing speech by Pascal Pichonnaz, who reflected on the three days’ discussions. He reiterated the significance of addressing cross-border legal issues and the impact of emerging technologies like AI on the legal profession.
Pichonnaz thanked the speakers and participants, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration to ensure that legal systems evolve alongside societal and technological changes.
This conference offered a rich blend of discussions on critical legal issues. With high-profile speakers and thought leaders in attendance, the event was set to be a landmark moment in shaping the future of European legal systems.
