LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ELECTRONIC JUSTICE IN THE EU

Abstract

The article examines the concept of electronic justice (e-justice) and statement for its implementation in the European Union. The paper highlights the key criteria for effective e-courts, such as accuracy, integrity, automation and accessibility. The author analyzes the main EU strategic documents that define the principles and directions of digitalization of the judicial systems of the EU members, in particular the Recommendations of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the Opinion of the Advisory Council of European Judges, the Justice Programme and the European E- Justice Strategy for 2019-2023.

Considerable attention is paid to the review of practical achievements in the sphere of e-justice in the EU, including the creation of the multifunctional e-Justice portal, the European Judicial Atlas of Civil matters, and the e-CODEX infrastructure for cross-border interaction of courts and authorities. The paper considers the functions of the eu-LISA Agency for the management of IT systems in the EU justice and home affairs sector. The paper analyzed the problems and challenges on the way to full-scale digitalization of the European judiciary, such as legal barriers, technical unpreparedness, and staff shortages. The author highlights the latest EU legislative initiatives to unify the rules of electronic communication in judicial procedures.

References

  1. Yu J., Xia J. E-justice evaluation factors: The case of Smart Court of China. Information Development. 2021. No. 37(4) Pp. 658-670. URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666920967387
  2. Pangalos G., Salmatzidis I., & Pagkalos I. Using IT to Provide Easier Access to Cross-Border Legal Procedures for Citizens and Legal Professionals – Implementation of a European Payment Order e-CODEX pilot. International Journal for Court Administration. 2014. No. 6(2), Pp. 43-52. URL: https://doi.org/10.18352/ijca.137
  3. Velicogna M., Ontanu A. Improving Access to Courts and Access to Justice in Cross-border Litigation: Lessons from EU Experiences. Ciências e Políticas Públicas / Public Sciences & Policies. 2019. No. 5, Pp. 69-92. URL: https://repub.eur.nl/pub/124386/Ontanu-Improving-Access-CPP_V5N1_4.pdf
  4. Velicogna M., Steigenga E., Taal S., Schmidt, A. Connecting EU Jurisdictions: Exploring How to Open Justice Across Member States Through ICT. Social Science Computer Review. 2020. No. 38(3), Pp. 274-294. URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/0894439318786949
  5. Recommendation Rec (2001) 3 on the delivery of court and other legal services to the citizen through the use of new technologies. Council of Europe. 2001. URL: https://search.coe.int/cm?i=09000016805e2aa7
  6. Opinion No. 14 (2011) on Justice and Information Technologies. Consultative Council of European Judges. 2011. URL: https://rm.coe.int/168074816b
  7. Multiannual European e-Justice Action Plan 2014-2018. European Commission. 2014. URL: https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/justice-programme_en
  8. Official website of the The European e-Justice Portal. URL: https://e-justice.europa.eu/home?action=home
  9. The European Judicial Atlas in Civil Matters. URL: https://e-justice.europa.eu/content_european_judicial_atlas_in_civil_matters-321-en.do
  10. Official website of the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA). URL: https://www.eulisa.europa.eu/About-Us/Who-We-Are
  11. Pangalos G., Salmatzidis I., Pagkalos I. Using IT to Provide Easier Access to Cross-Border Legal Procedures for Citizens and Legal Professionals – Implementation of a European Payment Order E-CODEX Pilot. International Journal for Court Administration. 2017. No.6(2). URL: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2893685
  12. Regulation (EU) 2015/848 insolvency proceedings establishing technical specifications and procedures required for the system of interconnection. European Parliament and European Council. 2015. URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2015.141.01.0019.01.ENG
  13. Information on the Pro-CODEX project. Information Sheet. Milan Advocacy Assosiation. 2017. URL: https://ordineavvocatimilano.it/media/allegati/FINANZIAMENTI%20UE/ddmm017_Pro-Codex_Console.pdf
  14. The European e-Justice Strategy for 2019-2023. Official Journal of the European Union. 2019. No 96. Pp. 24-32.URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52019XG0313(01)&rid=7
  15. On the digitalisation of judicial cooperation and access to justice in crossborder civil, commercial and criminal matters, and amending certain acts in the field of judicial cooperation, Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council, 2022. URL: https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-15139-2022-INIT/en/pdf