Paris hosted the third high-level delegation from the Legal Execution Department of the Kingdom of Thailand (LED) from 8 to 10 April 2025, as part of a study visit jointly organised by the UIHJ and the National Chamber of Commissioners of Justice of France (CNCJ).
This event, which brought together some forty participants at the CNCJ headquarters, provided an opportunity for developing discussions on best practices in the enforcement of court decisions and technological innovations in this field.
The Thai delegation consisted of 31 LED representatives, bringing together experts and officials involved in the field of judicial enforcement. The UIHJ was represented by Marc Schmitz, President, Françoise Andrieux, Honorary President, Jean-Pierre Herbette, Vice-President, Patrick Gielen, Secretary General, Robert Cicuto, Treasurer of the European Union of Judicial Officers (UEHJ), and Mathieu Chardon, Honorary Secretary General.
The CNCJ was represented by its President, Benoît Santoire, its Treasurer, Jean-Pierre Herbette, Pierre Iglesias, Member of the Executive Board, Robert Cicuto, Member, Thierry Bary, General Delegate, and Pascale Lutz, Project Manager.
A Comprehensive and Informative Program
For three days, the Thai delegation followed a diverse and structured program designed to provide an overview of the organisation of the profession in France, the international challenges of enforcement, and the technological innovations transforming the profession.
Day 1: Presentation of the CNCJ’s Services and Institutional Visit
The first day began with an official opening ceremony, featuring speeches by Françoise Andrieux, Jean-Pierre Herbette, and Ms Penrawee Paeseng, Deputy Director of the LED. The participants followed presentations on the CNCJ’s services (Jean-Pierre Herbette and Thiery Bary), auctions (Nicolas Moretton), mediation (Cyril Castex), property management (Sylvain Olagnon), guardianship measures (Pierre Iglesias), and compliance (Luc Ferrand).
In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Economic Activities Court of Paris. Impressed by the presentation of this court’s infrastructure, it had the opportunity to attend a hearing in progress, which provided a concrete overview of the functioning of this French commercial court.
Day 2: International Institutions and Digitisation
The second day was devoted to presentations by Françoise Andrieux and Mathieu Chardon on the role of the major international institutions, the principles of enforcement, and the impact of digitisation on the profession. A specific session focused on the Global Code of Enforcement – including its sections on digitalisation and the main principles of professional ethics – and another on the attachment of digital assets.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Maison Drouot, a world-renowned venue dedicated to movable property voluntary auction sales. The members of the Thai delegation were able to discover how voluntary auction sales work, as well as the behind-the-scenes work of France’s most iconic auction house. The day ended with a dinner cruise on the Seine, hosted by the UIHJ, in a setting conducive to further discussions.
Day 3: Technological Innovations and Closing Ceremony
The final day, during which Benoît Santoire personally welcomed the Thai delegation, focused on technological developments in the profession, with presentations on electronic service of documents (Marc Schmitz), statements of facts and artificial intelligence (Robert Cicuto), auctions (Nicolas Moretton), and cryptoassets (Cyril Murie and Nicolas Moretton).
The visit ended with a certificate presentation ceremony, a symbolic moment marking the Thai delegation’s commitment to this training and the strengthening of institutional ties.
Towards Enhanced Cooperation
Like the two previous visits in February and March, this third visit was a success both organisationally and in terms of content. It highlighted the importance of knowledge sharing between legal professionals and the common desire to strengthen international cooperation in the enforcement of court decisions, thus demonstrating the lasting commitment of the UIHJ and the CNCJ in this dynamic of exchanges and mutual learning.
During the closing ceremony, Benoît Santoire proposed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the CNCJ and the LED.
