10–14 September, Series of Meetings in Moldova
ERA’s Director Jean-Philippe Rageade was invited to speak at the annual international conference of the Union of Advocates of the Republic of Moldova. His keynote reviewed ERA’s projects and initiatives for Moldovan private practitioners since the beginning of the year and explored how ERA can further support this key target group in the future.
During his visit to Chisinau, Jean-Philippe also held strategic meetings with key justice stakeholders to explore long-term cooperation. Discussions with the Director of the National Institute of Justice, Ms Ramona Strugariu, focused on strengthening judicial training and facilitating access to ERA’s digital resources. Further meetings with the Superior Council of Magistracy, represented by President Sergiu Caraman and Ms Tatiana Ciaglic, and with the Supreme Court of Justice, represented by interim President Stela Procopciuc and Judge Diana Stănilă, provided ERA with a better understanding of the challenges facing the Moldovan judiciary. Finally, Jean-Philippe met with the Minister of Justice, Ms Veronica Mihailov-Moraru, to discuss Moldova’s prospects of joining the ERA Foundation.
This visit enabled ERA to reaffirm its readiness to support Moldova on its path to the European Union by providing training on the EU acquis.
16 September, Conference on the Rule of Law, Barcelona
ERA’s Director of Programmes, Viktor Vadász, spoke at a conference hosted by the Human Rights and International Law Committee of the Barcelona Bar Association (ICAB) on the theme “Is the Rule of Law in Danger in Europe? The example of Hungary”.
In his presentation, he examined the backsliding of the rule of law and the process through which a country can transition from liberal democracy to illiberal autocracy. He analysed legislative and constitutional reforms affecting the judiciary, elections, civil society, and media, and discussed their impact on mutual trust within the EU.
The debate addressed pressing questions: Are these reforms compatible with democratic principles? How do they affect judicial independence and fundamental rights? Viktor highlighted the importance of mutual recognition of court decisions and reaffirmed ERA’s commitment to advancing European values through continuous training in EU law. ERA has developed outstanding cooperation with ICAB in recent years and provided training in EU law for many Barcelonan lawyers.
18 September, EUR Congress, Vienna
Jean-Philippe Rageade represented ERA at the Congress of the European Union of Rechtspfleger (EUR), held at the historic Justice Palace in Vienna. The event gathered 70 participants from Europe, Africa, and Asia under the theme Diplomrechtspfleger:innen & Notariat in der österreichischen Justiz.
The congress focused on empowering court staff through training as a key element in strengthening European justice systems. Discussions highlighted the specific tasks and functions of Austrian Rechtspfleger and the role of notaries, while addressing shared challenges such as digitalisation and AI. ERA’s participation underscored its commitment to judicial training in general and particularly court staff training since the launch of the first pan-European large-scale project in 2019.
ERA would like to take this opportunity to very warmly congratulate Walter Szöky on his re-election as EUR President. Walter is also a member of ERA’s Board of Trustees.
14–15 October, EJTN’s Directors Conference, Bordeaux
Lilian Erbel, Jean-Philippe Rageade and Viktor Vadász attended the Directors‘ Conference of the European Judicial Training Network, held at the École Nationale de la Magistrature in Bordeaux on 14–15 October. The conference celebrated the Network’s 25th anniversary and launched discussions on its upcoming strategy for 2028 and beyond.
The Academy of European Law is proud to have been among the EJTN’s founding members and remains committed to contributing to its vital work with judges, prosecutors, and court staff across Europe, as well as to collaborating with the other members and observers who are at the heart of the organisation.
