On Friday 19 June, the International Union of Judicial Officers (UIHJ) travelled to Portugal at the invitation of the Order of Solicitors and Enforcement Agents (OSAE). It was a day with a twofold purpose: the official launch of the groundwork for the profession’s next world congress, and participation in a landmark moment in Portuguese institutional life.
First steps towards the 26th UIHJ International Congress
At the OSAE’s premises, the UIHJ and the Portuguese Order met to open the preparatory work for the 26th International Congress, which will take place from 28 to 30 April 2027 in Estoril, in the Lisbon area.
The UIHJ was represented by its President, Marc Schmitz, its Secretary General, Patrick Gielen, and its Adviser, Luis Ortega. The OSAE was represented by its Bastonária, Anabela Veloso, by Mara Fernandes, President of the Professional Council of the College of Enforcement Agents, and by Vanessa Vieira, Head of European and International Affairs.
This meeting marked the start of the first reflections and the planning of the 26th UIHJ Congress, the world’s largest gathering of enforcement agents and judicial officers. This leading forum for the sector will bring together justice professionals from all five continents for three days of knowledge-sharing and debate.
“Preparing an event of this scale begins long before it takes place. It is precisely this commitment to excellence, international cooperation and the building of a high-value programme that led the OSAE to meet with the UIHJ’s representatives. I am certain that this event will leave no one indifferent,” underlined the Bastonária of the OSAE, Anabela Veloso.
The road to 2027 has now begun, and it promises to establish Portugal as the stage for a truly global gathering.
50th anniversary of the OSAE Statute at the Assembly of the Republic
That same 19 June, the UIHJ also honoured with its presence the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Statute of the Order of Solicitors and Enforcement Agents, held at the Assembly of the Republic, in the Monks’ Refectory (Refeitório dos Monges).
Held under the theme “50 years of the OSAE Statute | A statute for the next 50 years?”, the ceremony brought together the highest authorities of the profession and of the Portuguese State, including the President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, and the Minister of Justice, Rita Alarcão Júdice. Alongside Bastonária Anabela Veloso, the Order’s leaders, academics and judicial institutions took the floor throughout the afternoon, around a debate and the presentation of the publication dedicated to the OSAE Statute.
This was also the occasion for the President of the UIHJ, Marc Schmitz, to hand the Portuguese Minister of Justice the official invitation to the 26th UIHJ Congress. The Union’s presence at this commemoration reflects the strength of the ties that bind it to the OSAE and the international dimension of a profession in full evolution.
Towards Estoril 2027
Between substantive work on the future congress and participation in a historic milestone for the Portuguese profession, this UIHJ visit to Portugal laid the first stones of a major event. The date is now set: from 28 to 30 April 2027, in Estoril, for a congress that promises to be resolutely global.
To register: http://www.uihj-lisboa.com
