Digitalisation of justice in the European Union. A toolbox of opportunities

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 2 December 2020, setting out a toolbox of measures targeted at fostering digitalisation of justice with the aim to improve access to justice and the efficiency of justice systems.

Further information:

This approach is to achieve better use of digital technologies, in full respect to fundamental rights and the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity. This is from an understanding that significant work is yet to be done, especially to fully grasp the benefits of digital technologies in judicial proceedings, including aspects related to cross-border judicial cooperation.

This Communication proposes the following tools:

• Funding for driving forward the digital transformation process;
• Discussion on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) based applications for the benefits of justice systems;
• Making the digital channel the default option in EU judicial cooperation;
• Better tools for access to information for citizens and practitioners through the establishment and interconnection of registers;
• Use of available IT tools for secure cross-border cooperation in civil, commercial and criminal matters;
• Upgrade and modernisation of digital tools for judicial cooperation information exchange in criminal cases across the EU;
• Establishing a My e-Justice space, which would provide citizens and businesses with an entry-point linking available national electronic services;
• Regular monitoring of the progress achieved.

The toolbox was published as part of a package of initiatives to modernise the EU justice systems. It follows up on a set of conclusions adopted by the Council of the European Union on the digitalisation of justice.

Official

EUR-LEX: SWD(2020)540: Staff Working Document accompanying the Communication https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2020:540:FIN

European Commission: Policies: Digitalisation of Justice https://ec.europa.eu/info/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/digitalisation-justice_en

European Commission: Press Release, 02/12/2020: Modernising EU justice systems: New package to speed up digitalisation of justice systems and boost training of justice professionals https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_2246

European Commission: Modernising EU justice systems - Questions and Answers (2 December 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_2247

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