Study visit of the Lebanese Court of cassation and meeting between First President Chantal Arens and First president Abboud of the Court of cassation of Lebanon

This study visit followed a bilateral exchange, held virtually on 22 February this year between First President Chantal Arens and First President Abboud, in the presence of Mr. Jean-Paul Jean, Secretary General of AHJUCAF, Honorary President at the Court of cassation. During this exchange, the Heads of Courts expressed their commitment to develop new cooperation projects and to exchange on the reforms implemented by the French Court of cassation, which echo with the reflections undertaken by the Lebanese Court of cassation.

The visit resulted in a rich exchange, allowing identifying common challenges, in particular in relation with the loss of trust in the judicial institution and the role of a supreme court in society, as well as with working methods and case-law publication.

President Kfoury discussed with President Sommer, Director of the Documentation, Studies and Reporting Department (SDER) and Ms Postel, Judge and Head of the Digital Law and Data Protection Unit, on the team around the judge and on the open data of judicial decisions main challenges, namely in terms of data protection. The new IT system strategy of the Court of cassation has also been introduced by Ms. Halla, Deputy Secretary General of the Court of cassation.

President Kfoury also exchanged with Mr. Matet, Honorary Dean, and Ms. Bourgeois-de-Ryck, judge within the First Presidence’s Office, on the reforms recently undertaken by the Court of cassation (motivation of rulings, appeals orientation and classification of rulings among others). They also discussed about the ongoing reflections and the measures implemented to strengthen the links with the Courts of appeals and the transversality between the Court’s chambers. Ms Kfoury also discussed with Mr. Christophe Soulard, President of the Criminal Chamber, to better understand the organization of the criminal chamber. This exchange provided an opportunity to compare the differences of functioning between the two courts.

Thereafter, First President Abboud, President Kfoury and Secretary General Daou debated with President Potocki on the recommendations of the Report “Cour de cassation 2030”, and then met with Mr. Molinié, President of the Supreme Court Lawyers Bar.

The visit concluded with a bilateral exchange between First President Chantal Arens and First President Abboud, in the presence of President Jean-Paul Jean. It was the occasion for the two heads of courts to reaffirm their commitment to the cooperation between the two courts, to exchange on the difficult situation currently faced by Lebanon, and more generally, on the challenges for supreme courts to address the growing questioning of the rule of law.

At the end of the visit, it was agreed to further enhance cooperation between the two courts through various exchanges, such as new study visits or thematic seminars.