The UIHJ, represented by Patrick Gielen, Secretary of the Board, and Malgrozata Pedziszczak, member of the Innovation Team, took part in the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the National Council of Judicial Officers of Poland, which took place in Warsaw, on 14 December 2023.
For several weeks, colleagues in Poland have been celebrating the 25 years of the judicial officer activity in regional chambers in Poland.
The ceremony held on 14 December was attended by a large number of distinguished guests and government representatives. They all extended their congratulations and recognition to the National Council of Judicial Officers.
The State Secretary of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, read a congratulatory letter from the President addressed to the National Council.
Congratulations were also sent to the National Council by the President of the Diet, Szymon Hołownia, and the President of the Senate, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska.
The ceremony was directed by Monika Janus and Przemysław Małecki, who recalled the most significant events of the past 25 years in the history of Polish judicial officers. They also highlighted the merits of many members of the most important bodies of the National Council of Judicial Officers in Poland.
In his speech, the President of the National Council of Judicial Officers emphasised that the last 25 years had been good years, full of challenges and stimulating circumstances. He also thanked everyone who had taken responsibility for managing the profession at the National and regional levels for 25 years.
“If we are where we are today, it is thanks to you and our collective success, allowing us to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our National Council with pride” emphasised President Szynalik.
In his address, he also highlighted the four challenges the Council will face in the future. The first challenge is to ensure good working conditions for judicial officers, the second is education, the third is to implement the postulate of a complete digitisation of enforcement procedures, and finally, the fourth challenge is to expand the competences of judicial officers in Poland.
“The future will certainly not be easy, just as our past has not been easy. But we are not afraid; we are prepared because we know how to meet the challenges of a changing world. As the President of the National Council of Judicial Officers, I see four major challenges ahead of us, which – I am deeply convinced – we will overcome because firstly we know how to do it, because secondly, we have the determination, and thirdly, because – despite our differences – we are united in pursuing the goal” assured Sławomir Szynalik.
Then in his speech, Patrick Gielen evoked the good years of collaboration with the National Council of Judicial Officers. He recalled that almost 30 years ago, in 1994, the 15th Congress of the UIHJ was held in Poland on the theme “The responsibility of the judicial officer in the context of the liberal profession” a topic that remains relevant today.
It is undeniable that strong ties bind the National Council of Judicial Officers and the UIHJ, and it is together that we can and must work to ensure a future for our profession in a rapidly digitising world.
It was therefore a perfect occasion on this anniversary to award President Szynalik with the UIHJ Trophy!
