The UIHJ Permanent Council, held in Paris from November 26 to 29, 2024, brought together more than 160 delegates from over 50 countries to exchange ideas, plan, and advance significant projects. The International Union of Judicial Officers (UIHJ) participated in over 240 events worldwide over the past year. This dynamism highlights its role in the evolution and support of the profession globally.
The first day, Tuesday, November 26, was dedicated to meetings of the Board of the International Union of Judicial Officers (UIHJ) and the Executive Committee of the European Union of Judicial Officers (UEHJ). These sessions provided an opportunity to address strategic issues and set priorities for the days ahead.
On Wednesday, November 27, the day began with the meeting of African presidents at the National Chamber of Commissioners of Justice of France. Delegation leaders worked on key issues such as the approval of the Ufohja’s internal regulations, planned training sessions for 2025, and the project for the digitalization of offices in Africa. Particular attention was given to preparing the 7th Africa-Europe Meetings of Judicial Officers, scheduled for September 24-25, 2025, in Algiers.
In the afternoon, the UEHJ General Assembly addressed major European topics, including recent regulatory developments in the European Union, European co-funded projects such as PACE, e-Filit, and JODES, as well as updates to the European Enforcement Atlas. These exchanges highlighted the progress made and the initiatives needed to strengthen cooperation and enhance the efficiency of professional practices.
Thursday, November 28, marked the start of the Permanent Council, where essential points on governance and ongoing projects were discussed. The “Jacques Isnard Gold Medal” was presented to Mathieu Chardon, Secretary General of the UIHJ, Pimonrat Vattanahatai, a member of the UIHJ Scientific Council, and Juraj Podkonicky, honorary treasurer of the UIHJ, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the organization. The afternoon was highlighted by two major events. First, the presentation of the winning project from the 2024 Biennial of the National Chamber of Commissioners of Justice of France, titled “Personalized Service.” This project aims to integrate QR codes into judicial documents, enabling citizens to access clear and detailed explanations of the documents they receive—an exemplary initiative to make justice more accessible and understandable. Second, the PACE roundtable, dedicated to exploring the GDPR in enforcement within and beyond the European Union, allowed participants to discuss issues related to personal data protection. Speakers exchanged promising practices and challenges encountered, as well as perspectives for international cooperation and increased awareness to ensure compliance in this sensitive area.
On Friday, November 29, the work concluded with a retrospective of the past year’s achievements and priorities for 2025. Upcoming projects include initiatives in training, strengthened collaboration with international organizations, and the preparation of major events, such as the Spring Permanent Council in May 2025 in The Hague (Netherlands) and the 26th International Congress of Judicial Officers, scheduled for 2027 in Lisbon.
The UIHJ also continues to collaborate closely with international institutions such as the United Nations, the World Bank, the European Union, the Council of Europe (notably CEPEJ), The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), OHADA, and regional organizations like the European Academy of Law (ERA). These partnerships help develop structuring projects, harmonize practices, and promote modern and effective justice.
This Permanent Council demonstrated the UIHJ’s ability to bring together and mobilize its members around shared objectives. The rich exchanges and ambitious initiatives presented reflect everyone’s commitment to addressing the profession’s challenges and working toward more accessible and transparent justice on a global scale. We extend our sincere thanks to all the delegates for their contribution to the success of this event.