Twenty-five years of European judicial education in the service of the rule of law: joint efforts by the NSJU and EJTN

On 14–15 October 2025, the French city of Bordeaux hosted the annual Conference of Directors of the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN), dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Network's creation and discussion of strategic priorities for the development of judicial training in Europe.

The National School of Judges of Ukraine was represented at this important international event by Rector Mykola Onishchuk and Judge of the Soborny District Court of Dnipro, NSJU lecturer Maksym Khodakivsky, who took part in discussions on the role of judicial education in strengthening the rule of law, the introduction of andragogical innovations, and the development of international partnerships in the field of judicial training.

The conference was held at the National School for the Magistracy of France (ENM) and brought together heads of judicial education institutions, representatives of the European Commission, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Court of Human Rights, EUROJUST, the European Public Prosecutor's Office, as well as the academic community and experts on justice issues.

The conference was opened by the Director of the ENM, Nathalie Roret, the Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, the President of the Court of Justice of the European Union, Koen Lenaerts, and the Secretary General of the EJTN, Ingrid Dervaux.

Among the main discussion topics were strengthening the rule of law in Europe, challenges of digital transformation of justice, introducing innovations in judicial training, developing partnerships between EJTN and EU institutions, and the role of judicial education in protecting democracy and human rights. Particular attention was paid to the use of artificial intelligence in judicial activities, the development of e-justice, and new approaches to training judges in the context of digitalisation and data security.

Representatives of the National School of Judges of Ukraine also took part in two thematic workshops held within the framework of the conference and devoted to topical issues of professional development of judges, digital transformation of justice and coordination of judicial training in the EU. During the workshop "Training in the use of digital tools: e-justice, collaboration platforms, data security," the challenges and opportunities associated with the introduction of digital technologies into the European judicial system were discussed, as well as the importance of providing judges, prosecutors, and court staff with the necessary digital skills to work effectively in an electronic environment.

The second workshop, ‘The role of the EJTN in coordinating the training of judges at EU level,’ was devoted to discussing the future role of the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) in coordinating the training programmes of EU Member States in the field of EU law. Participants considered ways to improve coordination between national and European initiatives in the field of judicial education.

In his speech, Mykola Onishchuk emphasised that the participation of the National School of Judges of Ukraine in the activities of the EJTN is an important element of the European integration of the Ukrainian judicial training system. Cooperation with European partners allows Ukraine to contribute to the development of modern approaches to judicial education based on the principles of independence, professionalism and the rule of law.

The conference will result in the adoption of joint strategic directions for the EJTN's activities in the coming years, which should ensure the further development of the European area of justice and strengthen the role of judicial education in consolidating democratic institutions.