Meeting between Madame First President and the European Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Didier Reynders

Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, presented the second EU Report on the Rule of Law, published last July, which aims at improving the quality and efficiency of justice, and highlighted the meaningful contributions of the Court of cassation to the preparation of this report. Commissioner Reynders emphasized the challenges related to the digitalization of justice and the funds allocated and looks forward to the conclusions of the States General of Justice. Another key issue remains the independence of the judiciary, which should be supported by a reflection on the judges’ responsibility.

Madam First President reaffirmed the importance she attaches to the dialogue of judges, notably at the European level, the rule of law being at the center of the Court of cassation’s concerns. In spite of the current health situation, the Court has fully mobilized to strengthen its links with other supreme courts as well as with the European courts, in particular the Court of Justice of the European Union. Madam First President indicated sharing the concerns expressed by Commissioner Reynders on the challenges faced by justice: funds allocation, independence and responsibility (in this regard, Madam First President recalled the opinion issued by the High Council for the Judiciary following the referral from the President of the Republic), digitalization and artificial intelligence, and management of human resources.

To conclude the meeting, Commissioner Reynders expressed his pleasure to participate in the event organized as part of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union by the Court of cassation, the Constitutional Council and the Council of State on the role of judges in upholding the rule of law, to be held on 21 February 2022.