The Importance of the UIHJ's Actions at Global Level
Like every year, the UIHJ holds its permanent council in Paris, the headquarters of the UIHJ, on the premises made available by the National Chamber of the judicial officers of France. The Permanent Council is the largest organ of the UIHJ after the congress. Fifty delegations - a record - from Africa, Asia, America and Europe came together to meet, share, discuss, and decide.
In his opening speech in his capacity as host, Jean-Daniel Lachkar, president of the National Chamber of the judicial officers of France, welcomed all the delegations. Having recognized and emphasized the importance of the actions led by the UIHJ internationally, he said that international effort should be multifaceted. This action should meet, he said, the very different challenges in different countries, according to their cultures and legal traditions, the economic or technological context. According to the French president, to win the challenge of promoting the judicial officer in a world becoming increasingly complex, it is essential to develop solutions tailored to each of these issues. He said this is why, for several years and for two years in particular, he has drawing the attention of all his partners within the UIHJ, on the need to his opinion "to make our actions more adapted to regional issues in the name of greater efficiency." "Think global and act local," he said. He went on to say that this is why he launched several months ago the idea of strengthening the regional presence by structures tailored to different issues. A country like France, said the French President, is concerned about the European horizon and particularly the European Union. He said that for this reason, and in a very pragmatic way, he wanted to experiment through both the EJE and EJS projects on improving the execution of court decisions in Europe and the service of document. "This experiment is successful," said Jean-Daniel Lashkar. "It allowed us to find funding when all organizations face budgetary constraints related to the crisis. In two years we have launched projects to more than 800 000 euros. It allowed us to establish relations with the European institutions on practical but essential topics for our future on new technologies and cross-border enforcement." Based on these results, he said, he advanced the idea of creating regional structures of judicial officers, starting with a European structure within the European Union "so it can fully interact with institutions and member states of the Union." He confessed not understanding why this idea caused some turmoil. He added that other professions have been operating this way for decades, like the lawyers for fifty years and the notaries for over twenty years. These criticisms seem unfair to him "while we have made through our actions the demonstration of our sincerity and our goals." He continued: "We do not create an economic imbalance between our partners, we act transparently in our goals and our means; we cannot do otherwise, since our actions are co-financed by European taxpayers' money, and of course we always associate the UIHJ in our projects." He was pleased by the idea of President Netten to welcome a European structure of judicial officers. He praised the courage of this decision. Jean-Daniel Lachkar said he wish "that this new structure is based on close collaboration between all member countries of the European Union who want to be part of it and of course with the International Union and within the International Union." He concluded by stating that "France will always make of the joint action within the International Union a priority of its political action. As it did in the past, it will take all its responsibility in the international construction of the judicial officer of the 21st century that is the topic of the work of the next congress in Cape Town. "
In his speech, Leo Netten, president of the UIHJ, expressed his pleasure to meet a growing number of delegations at the permanent council. He thanked the National Chamber of the judicial officers of France and its president, Jean-Daniel Lachkar, for their hospitality, "witnessing the full support of France to the actions of the Union." The UIHJ President thanked the personalities who graced the Permanent Council with their presence:
- Bernard Reynis, representing the International Union of Notaries
- Ahmed Saeed bin Hazim, Director General of Dubai Courts
- Vojkan Simic, Vice-Minister of Justice of Serbia
- Mohammed Manii, Deputy Minister of Justice of Egypt
Leo Netten welcomed its two predecessors in the amphitheatre, Francis Aribaut and Jacques Isnard. He also welcomed the presence of representatives of five countries invited to participate in our work: Croatia, Dubai, Israel, Kosovo and Montenegro. He also welcomed the new presidents in office for the first time in attendance at the Permanent Council: Jane Ahmed Sid Hamed (Algeria), Ivo Goeyens (Belgium), and Habib Dridi (Tunisia).
During 2011, several important anniversaries were celebrated:
- The decade of the Chambers of the judicial officers of the Czech Republic and Romania,
- Twenty years of the reform of civil enforcement proceedings in France,
- Ten years of reforms on the profession of judicial officer in the Netherlands,
- Five years - already - of the judicial officers of Bulgaria and Republic of Macedonia.
Remaining United in Diversity
The president of the UIHJ reported that, at the opening last week in Vienna of the European Law Institute (ELI), of which the UIHJ is a founding member, Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission, discussed what makes Europe: "a great diversity and unity in diversity". "This motto could be ours," said Leo Netten. "For if our strength is our diversity, we know remain united in diversity. The crisis the world is going through is a growing concern. Yet I remain convinced that our profession, while harmonizing, will strengthen and face the crisis by helping to improve the situation. This is because we are useful to justice, we are useful to our fellow citizens, we allow securing economic exchanges, and finally because we are the essential elements of the Rule of Law, as precisely recognized by the European Court of Human Rights. "
A strong and united profession is a profession that puts training to the forefront the said President Netten. In Africa, the Training Unit of African judicial officers (Ufohja), has existed for over ten years. 29 seminars were held throughout the OHADA zone countries. The Ufohja is now a true institution.
The initial and continuing training of judicial officers was at the heart of the concerns of the UIHJ during the past year, continued the President. Contacts made in 2009 as regards training with the European Commission were maintained and fruitfully developed. He recalled that the UIHJ is actively involved in the legal education program of the European Commission.
Leo Netten went to the European Commission ten days ago. He met several representatives of the Justice Department, including Amélie Leclercq, who made a presentation two years ago during the permanent council, and Jacek Gartska. Collaborative projects for training were discussed. A schedule will be proposed soon. He said that e-Learning was at the heart of the concerns of the UIHJ. A law professor from the Open University of the Netherlands would lead a workshop on this topic during the Permanent Council. "E-Learning, he said, as you will see, is surely a very appropriate means of training for those of us scattered all over the world." In the same vein, he announced the imminent creation of a Vade-Mecum (Handbook) on the service of documents initially in the European Union, and then in Africa and the rest of the world.
Increasingly Dense Relations
Referring to relations between the UIHJ and the European and international institutions, President Netten described them as "increasingly dense”. The UIHJJ released in May 2010 a Position Paper on the European attachment of bank accounts. "After attending the public hearing on this issue, we integrated the working group that was created. We are at the heart of this main topic," he added.
"We are also in the heart of e-Justice" he said. In September 2010, the UIHJ attended a meeting organized by the Computer and Legal Group of the Council of the European Union. This meeting was intended to lay the groundwork for collaboration between the Council and the UIHJ. On this occasion, Fernando Rui Paulino Pereira, president of the Working Party on Legal Data Processing of the Council of the European Union, asked the UIHJ to provide a directory of judicial officers of the twenty-seven member countries of the European Union for its e-Justice portal website. "The creation of a worldwide directory of judicial officers is a mission that was decided by the UIHJ many years ago, for obvious reasons," said the President of the UIHJ. Quite appropriately, it turns out that the National Chamber of the judicial officers of France began its EJE (European Judicial Enforcement) project in 2010 financed by European funds up to 80%. Among the subject of this project is the implementation of a directory of enforcement professionals in Europe for the nine member countries of the project, all members of the UIHJ: Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, and Scotland. The board of the UIHJ then naturally entrusted to EJE the care to expand this directory for other countries of the European Union, which was immediately accepted by the French Chamber, EJE pilot project. Accompanied by the EJE project coordinator, President Netten said he went last month in Brussels to report on the project's progress.
The president of the UIHJ reported that the Scientific Council of the UIHJ is currently working on the Global Code of Enforcement. The work will be presented in Cape Town. One member of the Scientific Council, Professor Aida Kemelmajer Carlucci, professor at law at the University of Mendoza (Argentina), was awarded in his presence the title and the insignia of Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Paris-Est (France) last week.
The president of the UIHJ then focused on the great project that would be presented and discussed during the Permanent Council. This project, called STOBRA, will further develop and promote the ideas of the UIHJ. This project was inspired by the CADAT project created several years ago by the UIHJ to gather all regions of Africa to harmonize the training of judicial officers and the profession at the continental level. Stobra is based on the same need at European level.
A New Era for the UIHJ
"Since the CEPEJ Guidelines nearly two years ago, our profession has entered a new era," said Leo Netten. "It is now up to us to use to our advantage this great tool that we have shaped patiently for nearly twenty years. I would like to once again pay tribute to the work of Jacques Isnard during his five successive terms at the head of the Union, without which we would not face the future with confidence despite the crisis. We should use this powerful tool of the CEPEJ. "
This is precisely the purpose of the Stobra project, announced the president. Taking as examples items 33 and 34 of the CEPEJ Guidelines, he said the 47-member Council of Europe agreed to acknowledge that enforcement agents should carry out all enforcement procedures. Similarly, the 47 members of the Council of Europe recognize that judicial officers can carry out all activities included in the multidisciplinary program presented in 2006 at the international congress of the UIHJ in Washington. "I ask you: what are the counties today in which items 33 and 34 are a reality? Probably not one! ".
Recognizing that the road ahead was still long, Leo Netten announced that the UIHJ would act through an existing structure and that there was a need to strengthen it through the Meetings of European Presidents of the UIHJ. Meetings of European Presidents are indeed held regularly within the UIHJ. On this basis, the president of the UIHJ proposed to create the Council of European Presidents, an internal structure of the UIHJ. This structure will aim to work within the UIHJ on all questions relating to Europe.
Moreover, said Leo Netten, similarly, in Africa, there are meetings of the presidents organized at the time of Ufohja seminars. It is possible to combine international meetings in the framework of training for example and enjoy the presence of as many people as possible. But it is possible to go further, through independent projects, said President Netten.
Concerning the Council of European Presidents of the UIHJ, Leo Netten mentioned that the UIHJ already has the support from Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission, who indicated that she would attend the Installation of this council or would open a study day organized by the UIHJ. "Our goal is to ensure that as time goes by, we reach the harmonization of the profession, the harmonization that is proposed by the CEPEJ Guidelines. This harmonization will not only be European but also concern the world and Africa in particular. "
A New Focus of Interest for the UIHJ
Regarding Africa, the president of the UIHJ thanked Vice-President Honoré Aggrey "who is fully invested in our cause." "Despite the great difficulties facing his country, Ivory Coast, he took many initiatives".
Leo Netten then stressed the need to fill the Grand questionnaire of the UIHJ which was sent to each head of delegation. He invited those who had not yet done so, to fill it as soon as possible.
The Caribbean area is a new focus of interest for the UIHJ as part of its development policy. The Ohadac project was initiated on the model of Ohada in Africa. Thirty-six states and entities in the area are concerned. Leo Netten announced that the UIHJ aims to be known in the area and unite an even larger number of countries. Sue Collins (USA), Board Member, is responsible for making contacts on behalf of the UIHJ.
With regard to Asia, President Netten announced that Kazakhstan had created the liberal judicial officer. This was possible "thanks to the actions that were initiated and completed by our friend Irak Yelekeev, now in the Parliament of Kazakhstan and who was, remember, referred to as the UIHJ Man of the Year in 2008. This is a historic event of the first order. I am convinced that Kazakhstan will be emulated in the region and has just initiated a movement that will spread to other countries. "
Regarding a totally different region of the world, President Netten informed the participants that the judicial officers of Mauritius in turn had acquired the liberal status, a "special event because the legal system in force in that country is a mixture of Civil Law and Common Law, making of Mauritius a legal laboratory."
The prospective actions of the UIHJ also extend to the Middle East. The president said he travelled to Dubai in April 2011 with his first vice president, Bernard Menut, and Mohamed Chérif, Board Member, in the United Arab Emirates "where we were very impressed with the level of the authorities in charge of the enforcement of court decisions. This is a new area of choice for the Union. I would like to thank Mohamed Chérif for establishing initial contacts. "
New European Projects
He then recalled that with the support of the UIHJ and the National School of Procedure of Paris (ENP), the consortium including the Centre for International Legal Cooperation (CILC) in cooperation with the Chamber of Judicial Officers of Sweden won in January 2011 a European project for strengthening the Rule of Law in Georgia through the improvement of the enforcement system. This project is called BESTT, standing for Better Enforcement System Through Twinning. The partners of this partnership are the National Bureau of Enforcement of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia, the CILC and the Swedish Bureau of Enforcement. Several UIHJ experts will participate in this new project.
Another new project has just begun, President Netten said. This is the EJS project evoked by President Lachkar. The project's ultimate goal is the establishment of an electronic platform for transmission of documents between judicial officers under Regulation 1393/2007 on the service of judicial and extrajudicial documents in the Member States. The project is led by the National Chamber of the judicial officers of France. The UIH is a project partner. Leo Netten invited all the UIHJ countries member of the European Union to cooperate in this project "that will help perpetuate the service of documents by judicial officer." Service of documents by judicial officer is indeed the best - in fact the only - way to secure in particular a document initiating proceedings at global level. Leo Netten recalled that in 2009, at the conference in Sibiu in Romania celebrating the ten years of the Tampere Summit, the UIHJ had presented a draft directive for a harmonized document initiating proceedings. He wished the project EJS the success it deserved. He praised the French president for having launched such a project. "You can count on our full and unreserved support" he said on this occasion.
Global Week of the Legal Professions
Finally, the president of the UIHJ invited everyone to attend the International Congress of Judicial Officers of Cape Town in May 2012. "I can say one thing. It will be a huge international congress of judicial officers. You will discover the judicial officer of the 21st century. You will discover the Global Code of Enforcement. And we will celebrate as it should be the sixtieth Anniversary of the UIHJ. Regarding the many delights of South Africa, safaris, natural parks, its landscapes, its wilderness, its wine route, and nearby the falls of the Zambezi, you will establish lasting memories, not to mention the legendary hospitality of our friends in South Africa. Like me and all those who have been there, you will dream to taste it again and again." He concluded: "Until Cape Town, ladies and gentlemen, take advantage of Paris, the City of Lights. I wish you a very nice permanent council. "
Leo Netten recalled that, as part of the general policy of the UIHJ, it was decided to develop and strengthen cooperation with all international organizations representing stakeholders in the legal world. For the Council of Europe, the proper functioning of the public service of justice is subject to a constructive dialogue, not only between different judicial bodies but also among key stakeholders, ministries of justice, courts, legal profession and judicial and court officers. Four years ago, the UIHJ created the World Day of the judicial officer. Given the success of this event, the UIHJ wished to initiate a broader international event. So it invested in the creation of the Global Week of the Legal professions, an idea put forward, said President Netten, by our colleague André Mathieu from Quebec, a former board member of the UIHJ. The UIHJ hopes to involve all the organizations representing these professions internationally. The ambition is that this week be scheduled on the calendar of the United Nations. Contacts were made with the European Union of Rechtspfleger and the International Union of Notaries which fully support the project, as recalled Bernard Reynis, representing the International Union of Notaries invited by the UIHJ.
Serbia, New Member of the UIHJ
Then came the ceremony of accession of Serbia, a new member of the UIHJ. Serbia was presented by Jos Uitdehaag (the Netherlands), first quester of the Committee of the UIHJ. Our colleague recalled the already long-time relations with Serbia, through diverse European projects. Vojkan Simic, Vice-Minister of Justice of Serbia then formally presented the candidacy of Serbia at the UIHJ. He acknowledged that joining the UIHJ represented an opportunity and an important challenge for Serbia. He expressed his wish to be part of the large family of judicial officers in order to intensify exchanges and experiences. The accession of Serbia was accepted unanimously, through a cooperation agreement.
Then Mathieu Chardon, 1st secretary of the UIHJ presented the activities report of the UIHJ for the past year. The detailed report showed that the UIHJ participated in or organized 90 events worldwide, a record, witnessing the largest ever investment in our organization internationally. President Netten said that this figure looks amazing, especially with the budget of the UIHJ. This was possible, he said, because of the personal investment of all judicial officers involved.
On relations with institutions, Mathieu Chardon reported the annual meeting held at the headquarters of the Hague Conference on Private International Law in The Hague (The Netherlands). He also said that the UIHJ participated in regional conferences organized by the Hague Conference on the Apostille Convention. He said that the system established by this great organization to bring Apostille in the digital age, through the study and presentation of best practices with pilot countries could be applied within the UIHJ. Practical issues could be selected and studied to reveal the best system to erect as a global model.
Then Roger Dujardin, vice president of the UIHJ, gave an account of the recent meetings of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice of the Council of Europe (CEPEJ). He mentioned in particular the new project of the CEPEJ entitled "Meetings of the CEPEJ," presented in June 2011. This project consists of a cycle of sessions, training and exchanges around the CEPEJ tools designed for legal professionals. The UIHJ has offered its expertise in organizing this event. Roger Dujardin has again highlighted the Recommendation Rec (2003) 17 of 9 September 2003 and the CEPEJ Guidelines of 17 December 2009 of which the Union is "a tireless promoter and ambassador." He regretted that many colleagues are not yet aware of the impact of these guidelines. However, Juris-Union # 5 was entirely focusing on this theme. The Vice President of the UIHJ announced that John Stacey, President of the CEPEJ, had been invited to participate in Cape Town.
Very Strong Relations with the European Institutions
President Netten said that relations with the European Commission are strong. Françoise Andrieux, general secretary of the UIHJ, added that telephone contacts are made throughout the year. On 14 November 2011 a meeting was held at the European Commission with Amélie Leclerc, project manager for the European Judicial Training, Emanuelle Cretin-Magand and Lotte Knudsen, Director of the Justice Criminal Division. Jacek Gartksa from the Civil Justice Division was also seen. Françoise Andrieux reported that the European Commission wishes to establish a work program and meet with the representatives of the UIHJ as regularly as possible. The objectives are specified in the Stockholm program. At Commission level, justice has become prominent. The Freedom, Security and Justice Directorate has become the Justice Directorate. There is a specific program for justice. The idea is to involve stakeholders, including through training. The UIHJ developed its training programs. Representatives of the European Commission have expressed strong interest in the training days set up by the UIHJ and the Position Paper of the UIHJ on training, "read and appreciated by Viviane Reding," said the secretary general of the UIHJ.
A new direction for training was proposed, including trying to make it inter-professional. The topics may also relate to other legal professions. "Since we are the only ones organizing this kind of training days, perhaps other professions could benefit from our expertise" estimated Françoise Andrieux. This project has been warmly welcomed by the European Commission, she said, including Jacek Gartska who said that the Commission was setting up training modules on European instruments and their application. The desire of the Commission is to measure the implementation of European instruments. "This is what we do regularly in the UIHJ. We have offered our expertise in the construction of these modules," concluded the secretary general of the UIHJ.
President Netten added that contacts with the European Commission are very numerous, that the Commission needs judicial officers. It does not want to undertake anything without consulting the UIHJ.
To Adopt the Uniform Status of the African judicial officer
Dionysios Kriaris, board member of the UIHJ, discussed the creation of the European Law Institute (ELI) of which the UIHJ is a founding member. The bases were developed in Athens, on the basis of the American Law Institute. The inauguration of ELI was held a few days ago in Vienna (Austria). The UIHJ was represented there by Mathieu Chardon.
Leo Netten reported that the UIHJ recently became a member of the National Federation of Trusted Third Parties (FNTC). This organization is interesting for the UIHJ because it deals with the role of trusted third parties in new technologies and dematerialization. The profession of judicial officer should be at the heart of security, dematerialisation and electronic signature. For the board, the UIHJ should be the Trusted Third Party at global level.
Honoré Aggrey gave an account of the activities of the UIHJ with UEMOA and Ohada. The Vice President of the UIHJ said the progress was quite satisfactory. On Ohada, the uniform act on the recovery of debts and enforcement procedures should be reformed. This is an opportunity for judicial officers, as key players, to assert their full participation. The UIHJ expects the uniform act it drafted to be an essential element for the progress of the legal profession in the Ohada. Arrangements were made to work from the base to get our message across. Some objectives of simplification, speed and effectiveness have not been successful. The voice of judicial officers should be heard today.
Concerning the Economic and Monetary Union of West Africa (UEMOA), Honoré Aggrey reminded that this is a sub-regional organization that works for economic and monetary integration of the countries of West Africa. It comprises eight countries that share the same currency, the CFA. The UEMOA has initiated an extensive program to attain freedom of establishment and services in the states. The UIHJ took part in a major workshop in December 2010. The freedom of exercise, service and installation was debated there. Eventually, the judicial officers from one country may practice in another country and settle there. The UIHJ believes there is an opportunity, in the medium term, to adopt the uniform status of African judicial officer, initially in the UEMOA area, then in the Ohada area. The representatives of UEMOA are convinced that a harmonized status is an essential prerequisite to the program it initiated. A tentative agreement was reached with the Directorate of Judicial Services of the UEMOA. The UIHJ highlighted the training aspect. This Department has agreed to defray the training component of judicial officers as part of its program. "Without training, the judicial officers cannot fulfil their role in the UEMOA area. It is a source of great satisfaction for us" concluded the vice president of the UIHJ.
On SADC (Southern African Development Community), Johan Fourie, board member of the UIHJ, said the organization covers all countries in the region of southern Africa. In many countries in this area, the laws have not changed. They are 'frozen'. Judicial systems of these countries come from the British colonisations, combined with local and customary law. Visits were made in several countries to make contacts. South Africa has established an ambitious training program for sheriffs. Other countries in the region could learn from this program. The training material demonstrates its usefulness. It was decided to try to directly influence the authorities of SADC to set up a meeting with the ministers of justice. "We hope our efforts will soon be successful. Much depends on the politicians. We should not be discouraged ", said Johan Fourie.
Sue Collins, member of the board of the UIHJ, then mentioned the Caribbean region. Our colleague met in St. Lucia representatives of fifteen of the Caribbean islands. She said that the UIHJ will proceed with the Ohadac project beginning with the study and research of the system of enforcement in each of the Caribbean states with the goal of training, education, harmonization and cooperation between the states. The UIHJ is offering its resources to this area whenever and wherever needed. Islands that are well trained and organized are asked to help with seminars and training for islands and states which have little or no training. The UIHJ will also approach other organizations in the Caribbean area to develop a relationship between legal professions for the benefit of all.
The Integration of Judicial Officers in the EJN
Karl Heinz Brunner (Germany) said he was very happy to report that the German judicial officers have joined the European Judicial Network (EJN). Leo Netten said that the UIHJ has strong contacts with the EJN for a long time now. Mathieu Chardon recalled that the European Commission invited the UIHJ to attend a workshop on the service of documents in the European Union for the inaugural meeting of the EJN on 4 December 2002 in Brussels. From its inception, the EJN wanted to work with the legal professions. For several years, the UIHJ took part in all discussions which ultimately led to the integration of these professions in the EJN.
The next item on the agenda of the permanent council concerned the work of the Institute Jacques Isnard of the UIHJ. Françoise Andrieux first gave a report of the 4th European Day training of judicial officers organized by the International Training Centre of judicial officers, a branch of the Institute Jacques Isnard. This meeting was held in Budapest (Hungary) on 7 April 2011. During the event, the European Union was chaired by Hungary. The opening session was chaired by Nora Klebercz, the Hungarian Ministry of Justice, responsible for e-Justice and Permanent Representative of Hungary at the European Union. Two workshops were organised. The first, on e-Justice was led by Alain Bobant and Stéphane Gensollen (France). The second workshop involved cross-border recovery of maintenance. It was chaired by Bernard Menut, first vice-president of the UIHJ. Topics relevant to case law and European legislation were presented by Guillaume Payan, UIHJ consultant, lecturer at the University of Maine (France). Seventeen European countries were present. Françoise Andrieux thanked the Hungarian Chamber for hosting and having made its facilities available. Our colleague then introduced the round table concerning the state of training of judicial officers of the European Union.
The Global Code of Enforcement, an Extraordinary Project
Roger Dujardin said the Scientific Council of the UIHJ met in Athens in October 2011 at the international conference organized by the UIHJ and the National Chamber of Judicial officers of Greece on "The role of the judicial officer in the administration of evidence." He said that the Scientific Council of the UIHJ develops "a huge project, a unique project, an extraordinary project! ", namely the drafting of a Global Code of enforcement. Work is placed under the direction of Professor Natalie Fricero and coordinated by Françoise Andrieux. Our colleague presented the work in progress. During the meeting of the Scientific Council of the UIHJ in Athens was discussed the preparation of the writing of this Global Code. "We do not address such a project without first many preparations to be able to then work in the most effective way", she assured. Initially a questionnaire was developed. It was sent to the twelve members of the Scientific Council. It was intended to prepare a methodology for drafting the code. It was thus decided to preface every article with four preliminary parts. These preliminary parts contain national laws, international or regional provisions, jurisprudence and doctrine. The Code is divided into four parts: enforcement titles, enforcement measures, interim measures, and enforcement agents. The principle is to write articles under the form of principles. The preliminary part will be totally open and scalable. The work will be presented in Cape Town.
E-Learning, a Solution for the Training of Judicial Officer at Global Level
The workshop on e-Learning was chaired by Françoise Andrieux. It included the participation of Hans Mrejen, manager of the Judicial Officer Training Programme at Hogeschool Utrecht University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, Huub Spoormans, professor at law at the Open University of the Netherlands, and Jean-Michel Rouzaud, president of the ENP.
Françoise Andrieux insisted on the outline of the Stockholm program. The promotion of fundamental rights of citizens is one of the main priorities of this program. The area of freedom, security and justice should be an area of protection of these rights. For the European Council, guidelines cover both the development of European instruments and the application of these instruments. Mutual trust between Member States is the result of several factors. These factors are listed in the Stockholm program. They include the development of European networks to promote cooperation and exchange of good practices between professionals of the member states, the existence of a high-level judicial training of these professionals, or the development of evaluation mechanisms of the implementation of the instruments adopted by the European Community. To reach these objectives, key elements are knowledge, use and control of these instruments by the professionals responsible for their implementation. Judicial officers are concerned at the highest level.
Thus the rise of a European e-Justice and a genuine European legal culture. The judicial officers will have to use European instruments increasingly. Extensive training is required. To promote training and European legal culture, various suggestions are made. The Commission seeks to consider action plans. The European Council considers that the distance learning programs - e-Learning - as well as common training materials should be developed to train professionals to the European procedures. It is precisely in this framework that the e-Learning workshop was organized during the Permanent Council.
Professor Spoormans developed the concept of e-Learning, a mode of distance learning using modern technology through an Internet connection. An e-Learning session consists of a course presented by a teacher to a class consisting of students who are each behind their computer. Students are taught by the teacher they can see and hear. The sessions are fully interactive. Members of the class are permanently interconnected. Teacher and students can ask questions and answer them at any time.
The program content is exactly the same as that provided by traditional methods. Students study at home. The courses are sent by post or email. This training method is particularly suited to individuals who are already in the workforce and want to pursue vocational training or update their knowledge. The hardware required is limited: a computer, a broadband Internet connection, a webcam and a headset.
Professor Spoormans said that after a few sessions, students find their marks quickly and prefer this type of training rather than traditional training that requires travel and is therefore time consuming. He then conducted a demonstration of a session of e-Learning. This demonstration truly impressed the participants who asked many questions.
Hans Mrejen then explained how this training method could be applied in each country and to the profession of judicial officer. He took the example of an attachment of a vehicle. If each trainer knows how the procedure takes place in his country, he does not know the procedure in other countries. A Web-Lecture can then be established by preparing questions about how the procedure can be carried out: will the vehicle be removed, will it stay on the street, is the debtor present during the operation, etc. During training, the representative of each country will be able to explain how enforcement is carried out in his country. This will make it possible to quickly learn how enforcement is carried out in many countries, without having to convene.
Jean-Michel Rouzaud, meanwhile, recalled the purpose of training, whether or not dematerialized. We need to convince colleagues, students and employees to train, he said. We should not forget the human dimension that is an integral part of the profession of judicial officer. For France, the president of ENP indicated that, for now, traditional training was maintained even if the dematerialized training was a training mode requiring attention.
Françoise Andrieux said that the examples given relate to countries where training schools exist. For other countries that cannot establish such schools, e-Learning is certainly a way for everyone to have access to training, provided of course that sufficient technology is available.
The Judicial Officer, Guardian of the Trust
Alain Bobant presented the National Federation of Trusted Third Parties (FNTC) which he chairs. The FNTC was created ten years ago by companies working in new technologies and then focusing on electronic archive and electronic signatures. Judicial officers were present. The notion of trusted third party is very important for the profession. "It is necessary that, in a dehumanized world, with no barriers, no landmarks, there is a sort of watchman, a lighthouse, someone who would be neutral, have institutional legitimacy and sustainability also in relation to companies that could overnight be made bankrupt. The judicial officer should be the goalkeeper," he explained. Initially a purely national association, the FNTC opened abroad for a year and a dozen international partners have joined the FNTC. The UIHJ joined the FNTC last month. "It seemed important to have the UIHJ to spread the word of technologies to colleagues around the world, but also to allow you to enjoy all that we can put at your disposal," said the chairman of the FNTC. "What has been achieved at French level should now be global. We need trust and the judicial officers are the ones to be in control," he concluded.
To Invest in International Actions
Honoré Aggrey then announced that Rosine Bogoré, president of the National Chamber of Judicial officers of Burkina Faso, was made a Knight of the Order of Merit of her country. President Netten extended his congratulations to the happy recipient.
Olof Dahnell, Permanent Delegate of the UIHJ for the Scandinavian countries, gave an update on activities in Norway, Denmark, Finland and Sweden. In Norway, a Nordic seminar was held in Bergen in early September 2011 on the theme: "Debt: a social issue." This seminar was a great success. Seventy judicial officers from the Scandinavian countries were present. The UIHJ was represented by Mathieu Chardon. Norway is working on a reform of tariff. In Denmark, the Enforcement Act was amended a year ago. It is now possible for the creditor to take part by telephone during court hearings. Now, in about 50% of cases, the creditor shall be heard by telephone. In Finland, a reform concerns enforcement to collect debts relating to financial criminals. The number of offices of judicial officer will be reduced from 180 to 60. In Sweden, the new organization of judicial officers is now almost operational. Sweden is working with the Georgian colleagues where two projects are underway. The first dates back to 2010. It covers three areas: Capacity for development of the enforcement services, skills in management of staff, and professional skills and culture of enforcement staff. The second project is a twinning project with the Netherlands. It began in October 2011.
David Walker, Permanent Delegate of the UIHJ for the United Kingdom and Ireland, has in turn submitted his report. For England and Wales, he confirmed the will of the Association of High Court Enforcement Officers to invest in international actions. On the expected legislative changes, nothing has been finalized, he regretted. In Ireland and Northern Ireland, there is still no contact with our colleagues. In Scotland, the important novelty is the requirement for Sheriffs to be members of the Association of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers. A consultation has been made as to who could hold shares in companies of judicial officers in Scotland. Finally, a tariff reform is being considered.
Johan Fourie said that in South Africa, a civil justice reform is underway. This will affect the profession of Sheriff, in particular with regard to the auction of property. Sheriffs are trying to persuade the authorities to continue to be the main auctioneers. He also said that about 300 sheriffs are awaiting their appointment.
For the United States, Sue Collins, member of the board of the UIHJ, said the new president of the National Association of Professional Process Servers (NAPPS) was appointed. The New board has hired a public relations' company to try to make the Process Servers in the US look better. NAPPS conducted a study on the laws of the fifty states of the United States to know under what conditions the Process Servers can work. There is no electronic service but many electronic documents are naturally transmitted via the Internet, including to the courts. NAPPS follows this issue which is very complex because the laws are different in all fifty states. A Hungarian delegation of forty people came to California to visit an office of Process Servers in Los Angeles and to attend a seminar on the service of documents in San Francisco.
With regard to Sheriffs, the National Sheriffs Association (NSA), held its convention in St. Louis in June 2011. 5000 people attended the meeting. 500 vendors were present. The conferences concentrated on criminal issues, transportation of prisoners and jails. Very little has to do with any king of civil process, service or seizure of property. “We are trying to change that” said Sue Collins. “They have allowed the UIHJ to sit on one of their committees which deals with these issues. We are trying to bring those issues more to the forefront. Some sheriffs no longer serve legal documents which are now handled by Process Servers. It could be interesting to have other sheriffs hear about this experience”. President Netten congratulated Sue Collins for her fundamental work that is beginning to give results.
To Participate in the Political Life of Countries
Mohamed Chérif, member of the board of the UIHJ, then said that, it is envisaged in Algeria to entrust the collection of fines to the judicial officers. It is also envisaged to create an assistant sworn judicial officer. The training provided by regional centres is also a necessity. Habib Dridi, president of the National Order of Judicial officers of Tunisia, outlined the events that led to a political revolution in his country. The new Council of Judicial officers was elected on 18 June 2010. He said that the judicial officers Tunisian went on strike just before the revolution to obtain a new tariff. On the occasion of the voting process, the judicial officers have incorporated the High Committee for Independent Elections (ISI) introduced by presidential decree. The judicial officers were tasked to ensure the transition for the election of the Constituent in Tunisia. The elections were a great success. Judicial officers have shown they can participate in the political life of their countries because of their integrity and their independence. Habib Dridi suggested that judicial officers create an International observatory which could be approached by all countries where elections are held. President Netten said he was delighted to see that relations with Tunisia were back to normal again.
Hester Fourie, sheriff (South Africa), has discussed the situation of some 2500 Deputy Sheriffs in South Africa. She said that the Deputy Sheriffs play a very important role in the enforcement of court decisions. They have been trying for years to be integrated into a professional association of Sheriffs. The efforts have paid off. Today, the Deputy Sheriffs are members of the South African National Association of Progressive Sheriffs (SANAPS).
On behalf of Roman Talmaci, president of the National Union of Judicial officers of Moldova, who couldn't attend the permanent council, the representative of the Moldovan delegation, Oxana Novicov, said that nine training sessions were organized for the judicial officers. Free access was granted to judicial officers as regards databases of real estate, files on the population and transportation. A code of ethics of judicial officers has been developed. The Chamber was involved in a dozen radio and television programs. A twinning agreement was signed with a regional chamber of judicial officer of Romania. The World Day of the judicial officer was organized for the first time in Moldova on the issue of recovery of child support. An open day was also made to public attention. Figures provided by our colleague show that turnaround times have reduced considerably in Moldova, from eighteen months to six / nine months, a reduction of over 50%. In its latest Doing Business report the World Bank figured that Moldova has increased eighteen places, including through the introduction of judicial officers. "The reform of the profession of judicial officer was one of twelve best reforms carried out in Moldova. The only people who are annoyed by this reform are the debtors. But this is what we wanted!" said our colleague. Some challenges remain, particularly regarding the status of the judicial officer. Support of the UIHJ was asked. The first vice president Menut immediately confirmed the willingness of the UIHJ to help Moldova, as is the case whenever a country starts a private activity.
Great Strides for the Profession
Alain Ngongang, president of the National Chamber of Judicial officers of Cameroon, spoke to renew his country's commitment to the actions of the UIHJ. In Cameroon, the profession is reflected in all major debates. In terms of training, with the help of the European Union, half of the four hundred judicial officers of Cameroon have benefited from training seminars, though disparate. Some colleagues provide Masters I and II training courses at the University of Yaounde, which is to be acknowledged. "The World Day of judicial officers is one of the highlights of the profession in our country but also an intense moment of the judicial life which also brings justice closer to the litigant," said President Ngongang. For this reason the day is always under the patronage of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Justice of Cameroon. This year, the organization of the World Day was decentralized in the ten regions of the country. All high regional authorities were invited to participate in this international event. The President of the National Chamber of Judicial officers of Cameroon thanked the UIHJ for this initiative. He ended his speech by sadly reporting on the deaths of three colleagues.
Louis-Raymond Maranda, member of the board of the UIHJ, presented his report as Chairman of the Chamber of Judicial officers of Quebec. A draft law is under way regarding the Code of Civil Procedure. Great advances have been made by the profession. But the draft law provides for service of process to be carried out by means other than by service by judicial officer. At the age of electronic service, the Chamber of Quebec has decided to propose that the judicial officer is the only trusted third party authorized to notify and serve electronically. At an extraordinary general meeting in October 2011, it was decided to fund the programming platform of electronic notification and service managed and operated by the profession. The draft law includes major advances in the profession. "The statement of facts by judicial officer is now crystallized in the Code of Civil Procedure," said Louis-Raymond Maranda. With the permission of the judge or the registrar, the judicial officer may question the debtor on his assets, or conduct a body search. The judicial officer may request any information from state agencies when the debtor is responsible for executing a court order. Among other developments, judicial sales should be attributed solely to judicial officers. Amicable or judicial debt collection or mediation by a judicial officer are also available. The level of training should also rise to be identical to that of other legal professions. He also mentioned the writing of a book on the profession of judicial officer in Quebec. Internationally, the excellent relations between Quebec and the UIHJ over the last forty years should be emphasized, "thanks to our colleague André Mathieu," concluded the President Maranda.
The Decisive Action of the UIHJ
Ahmed Saïd Bin Hazim, Director General of the Dubai Courts (United Arab Emirates) presented the Dubai courts through a particularly effective film report. He thanked the UIHJ for its invitation. The strategy of the Dubai Courts is to help Dubai becoming a financial and commercial leader in the region. Best practices globally are very interesting for the Dubai Courts. This is one reason why he is interested in the UIHJ. He recalled that a UIHJ mission visited Dubai recently.
Bernard Menut, who was present with President Netten during this mission, told how impressed he was by the organization, the efficiency and the professionalism of the Dubai Courts. He particularly appreciated the "consumer" approach which prevails when one visits a court.
Dionysios Kriaris, in his capacity as Chairman of the National Chamber of Judicial officers of Greece explained the situation in his country. First, despite the attacks of the banking sector, a presidential decree has maintained the status of judicial officers. President Kriaris noted that among the 347 professions where the law provided to liberalize the exercise, only the profession of judicial officer was an exception. He took the opportunity to publicly thank the UIHJ "for its decisive action, not only through the assistance provided in the legislation of all member states of the European Union, but also for its official intervention in all international forums and with the Greek government, and especially for the moral support it provided me personally in the titanic struggle that we conducted."
The profession has obtained that the electronic service is to be carried out only by a locally competent judicial officer, rewarding five years of effort. The Greek Chamber has also managed to convince the authorities that only the judicial officer is able to ensure service safely documents relating to debts owed to the State. After discussing the economic situation in Europe, our colleague recognized the need to bring back the economy at the service of law and justice instead of the law being at the service economy.
The Liberal Status for the Judicial Officers of Mauritius
Then Anil Seewoonarain, judicial officer (Mauritius), intervened to say that after fifteen years of struggle, the liberal status of judicial officers was adopted in Mauritius by an Act of 7 October, 2011, in effect on 10 October 2011. He said the support of the neighbouring island of the Reunion was very important. He sincerely thanked his colleagues Jean-Pierre Michel and Alain Merle from the Reunion for their help. He also thanked Bernard Menut for his support and advice as well as the delegation led by Guy Duvelleroy, former president of the National Chamber of judicial officers of France and the Departmental Chamber of the Reunion Island. Our colleague asked the assistance of the UIHJ for the establishment of permanent education for the Mauritian colleagues.
For Italy, the president of the AUGE, Arcangelo d'Aurora regretted the difficulties that Italian judicial officers face. He asked once again the UIHJ for its support and cooperation to achieve change. He announced that the Italian National School of Procedure was organizing a seminar in Sicily on 16 December 2011 on the role of the judicial officer in family relationships.
President Netten regretted the lack of change in this country and said that Italy could always count on the support of the UIHJ.
Peter Molnar, President of the National Chamber of Judicial officers of Slovakia, reported that the Slovak Chamber held on 31 March 2011 an international symposium on the theme of "The judicial officer and the effectiveness of enforcement of judgments." This conference was prepared with the support of the Prime Minister. Many personalities were in attendance. The president of the UIHJ and representatives of Czech, Hungarian and Polish chambers were present. The speakers emphasized the role of the judicial officer, the recommendations of the CEPEJ, as well as historical and theoretical aspects relating to enforcement. President Molnar stated that the on-going discussions were halted pending the next election.
Kraisorn Singharajwarapan showed a film about Thailand. He said his country was applying for the Congress of the UIHJ in 2015. He presented the Legal Execution Department of the Ministry of Justice of Thailand (LED), of which he is a director. LED staff includes 2877 agents. The LED is in charge from its inception in 1974 of managing the activities of the judicial officers. This relates to enforcement proceedings, bankruptcies and judicial sales of movable and immovable. Our colleague then gave a detailed account of the activities of the LED.
Françoise Andrieux gave an account of the eighth UIHJ-EuroMed session held in Annaba (Algeria) on 20 and 21 October 2011. Jacques Isnard, former president of the UIHJ, represented there President Netten. President Isnard recalled the reasons behind the creation of UIHJ-EuroMed in Marseille in 2004. Three workshops were held: the status of the judicial officer, the search for information, and debt collection. The discussions were described as very successful. At the end of the session, five wishes have been issued.
Then Juraj Podkonicky (Czech Republic), Secretary of UIHJ-EuroDanube reported on UIHJ-EuroDanube activities, which includes twelve countries. He regretted the absence of Slovenia at UIHJ-EuroDanube seminars. He said that over the years, several chambers celebrated their anniversaries: the fifth anniversary of the Bulgarian, Macedonian and Estonian chambers, the 10th anniversary of the Czech Chamber, and the 15th anniversary of the Slovak Chamber. In the future, UIHJ-EuroDanube could become one of the most important branches of the UIHJ with the arrival of other countries to achieve around twenty countries.
Stobra: Harmonizing Enforcement Procedures and the Status of the Judicial Officer
Bernard Menut and Roger Dujardin then explained why the board of the UIHJ created the Stobra project mentioned by President Netten in his introductory speech.
Roger Dujardin indicated that two projects are proposed to the members of the UIHJ. The Stobra project aims to harmonize enforcement procedures and the status of the judicial officer in Europe and worldwide. He recalled once again that the Recommendation Rec (2003) 17 of 9 September 2003 of the Council of Europe was developed with the UIHJ. In 2009, a working group was established within the CEPEJ to enable a better implementation of this recommendation. The UIHJ was included in this working group and participated in the development of this fundamental document for the profession of judicial officer. It belongs to the judicial officers of each State and the UIHJ to claim whenever possible the actual implementation of this multidisciplinary program. The question is how. Individual actions are desirable and should be implemented. They could, however, face a double problem. The multiplicity and disparity of actions may undermine their effectiveness. The absence of consolidated and concerted measures internationally would make the task long and arduous. It is the task of the UIHJ, which represents organizations of judicial officers of each of its 72 member states to organize and coordinate the actions to be undertaken.
Internationally, the UIHJ is now an unquestioned force of proposal. The CEPEJ Guidelines are a living example. “We should pursue our efforts in this direction and multiply proposals and projects”, said the vice-president of the UIHJ.
This is why the board of the UIHJ created the Stobra project: Stockholm-Brussels-Athens, a European North-South axis. This project is the European equivalent of the African CADAT created by the UIHJ. The purpose of Stobra is the harmonization of enforcement procedures and the status of the judicial officer. This harmonization should cover all areas: science, organization, technology, training, communication... How can Stobra operate optimally? A series of regional participatory conferences organized in member countries could mark the stages of the project by registering for example in the context of the existing UIHJ-Euros within our organization. These conferences would result in consultations with member countries and to a common and coordinated reflection. At the end of the series of seminars, Stobra should be able to propose a system that would win the support of all and could therefore legitimately be brought before the European courts. One can extend the examples to all areas of intervention of the judicial officer and all members of the UIHJ. The UIHJ has already proposed a harmonized document initiating proceedings on the occasion of its conference in Sibiu in 2009. This force of proposal can now be developed through the Stobra project whose mission could go up to the proposal and participation in the development of the European instruments of tomorrow. The Stobra project is simple, inexpensive and seems very promising. It allows to combine scientific and communication activities. It showcases countries. It ensures the participation and the involvement of many. Because it is concrete, the project is very exciting. This is probably the best way to promote our ideas and ground in reality the goals contained in the statutes of the UIHJ: the elevation of the profession of judicial officer.
The Creation of the Council of the European Presidents of the UIHJ
The second project is the Council of the European Presidents. The UIHJ attaches great importance to legal developments in Europe as shows the creation of the Euros. To have better coordination and to monitor more closely EU legislation and proposals in this context, the UIHJ intends to establish a Council of the European Presidents. The idea is to organize twice a year, during the spring and the Paris Permanent Councils meetings of the European presidents. The Presidents of the 27 member states of the European Union will form the Council. Other presidents of the member countries of the Council of Europe will be invited to these meetings as observers. In order to structure these meetings, a chairperson will be appointed for each meeting.
Bernard Menut continued. He said that the activities of Euros are quite different. The board of the UIHJ observed that the production had its advantages but deserved to be better coordinated. It seemed appropriate to drag the activity of the Euros to the Council of the European Presidents. The Council should propose actions and thoughts that should lead to results. These results will serve the board to reach out to the relevant institutions, to very directly present the views of the profession. We should now be more concrete and truly build, propose, respond to actions, procedures, Green and White Papers issued by the European Union or the Council of Europe. The Council of the European Presidents is defined as a structure of the UIHJ created to work on specific topics. The aim will be to work on very specific topics and make proposals that will be submitted to the board of the UIHJ and submitted when necessary to the European authorities. The strategic orientations of the board under the form of position papers are particularly appreciated. We should go further, especially when it comes to text proposals or to respond to proposals from the European Union or the Council of Europe.
He recalled in this regard that paragraph 34 of the Guidelines of the CEPEJ fully incorporates the guiding principles of the UIHJ. He added that there would be a following to the guidelines and that, for example, the structure of a tariff for enforcement officers could be discussed at this occasion.
A very interesting discussion followed where all questions asked by the delegations relating to the structure that was put to their approval were answered. It appears that all delegations of the UIHJ clearly expressed their wish that the structure to be created should not be independent but internal to the Union and chaired by the President of the Union. Accordingly, after the discussion, the delegations did vote unanimously for the creation within the UIHJ of the Council of European Presidents. With this Council, the UIHJ is writing a new page of its history.
The Creation of a Vade-Mecum on the Service of Documents Abroad
Bernard Menut recalled that the changes of the statutes were prepared and would be submitted to vote in Cape Town. Concerning communication, Françoise Andrieux said the Newsletter of the UIHJ now includes interviews. Mathieu Chardon mentioned the progress on the creation of a handbook on the service of documents in the world. It is clear that there is no training globally on how to handle a document that has to be served from one country to another. The purpose of this handbook is to meet that training need. Initially, the handbook will cover the service of documents in the European Union. It will consist of practical and interactive worksheets to be published on the site of the UIHJ.
Jos Uitdehaag presented the book on enforcement in the Western Balkans he co-wrote. He said as soon as the book was published, it was already outdated because of changes in some countries. Our colleague suggested that information is published as an e-Book or an e-Application. President Netten approved this proposal and indicated that it did not exist yet.
Sue Collins then spoke of the Sponsoring Committee of the UIHJ. She said that advertising could appear on the UIHJ website or in UIHJ-Magazine for tucking a little money. It would also be good to have some UIHJ events sponsored by partners. She asked everyone to give ideas to find those partners.
Dominique Aribaut-Abadie, treasurer of the UIHJ, presented the financial report of the UIHJ for 2010, which is satisfactory.
Towards the Standardisation of the Tariff of Judicial Officers
Bernard Menut then presented the work he heads on a tariff structure for the profession of judicial officer. It is necessary to regulate the fees of the judicial officers even if some flexibility is required. The idea is to achieve an international standard promoted by the UIHJ. The study is based on the recommendation Rec (2003) 17 Council of Europe on 9 September 2003 on enforcement and on the CEPEJ Guidelines of 17 December 2009. CEPEJ recommends that the tariff is regulated (paragraphs 47 to 49 of the Guidelines), enforcement costs are transparent (paragraphs 50, 51, 75 and 76 of the Guidelines), and known in advance (paragraphs 52, 53, 54 and 55 of the Guidelines). It also required that the ultimate cost of enforcement is in due proportion to the remedy sought, and to make clear who should bear the costs (paragraphs 60 and 61 of the Guidelines). It is within this context that the work was done.
About the Congress in Cape Town, Johan Fourie gave all necessary information for delegates. All information has been published on the website of the UIHJ.
Mathieu Chardon presented the state of the work in progress for the Cape Town Congress. He presented in particular the Grand Questionnaire of the UIHJ. This questionnaire includes 350 questions on all aspects of the profession and its activities. The information is processed by a program that can automatically present the results under the form of charts and statistics. The information is updated by each country. The questionnaire is therefore always updated.
Then, after Thailand, Chile presented its candidacy for the UIHJ Congress in 2015.
Jos Uitdehaag, UIHJ Man of the Year
At the end of the permanent council, it is our colleague Jos Uitdehaag who was elected Man of the Year of the UIHJ for 2011 in recognition of the actions undertook constantly and tirelessly for fifteen years at the service of the UIHJ and the profession of judicial officer. Although he is mainly active at European level, Jos Uitdehaag is recognized as a truly international expert. Everyone agrees that it is through his work that in many countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the status of liberal judicial officer has been set up, as he contributed directly to the writing of numerous laws. His dedication to the profession is an example to all.
It was on this happy fraternal event that President Netten, after having warmly thanked and congratulated Jos Uitdehaag, said the Permanent Council came to its end and he invited all delegations to meet in Cape Town in May 2012 for the 21st International Congress of judicial officers on the theme of "The Judicial Officer of the 21st Century." See you all in Cape Town!
