European Union judges gather at the Judges Forum marking 25th anniversary of Charter of Fundamental Rights
10 March, 2026
In the photo: Colleagues from the Latvian and European Union courts – Supreme Court Senator Anita Kovaļevska, ECJ Advocate General Laila Medina, ECJ Judge Ineta Ziemele, Constitutional Court Judges Irēna Kucina and Jautrīte Briede, ECJ Judge Pēteris Zilgalvis. Photo from Ineta Ziemele's account on social media platform "X".
The Court of Justice of the European Union is hosting on 9-10 March its “Judges’ Forum”. This event brings together members of constitutional courts and of supreme courts of the Member States as well as members of the Court of justice of the European Union. This year’s edition marks the 25th anniversary of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The Supreme Court is represented at the forum by Anita Kovaļevska, Chair of the Senate Department of Administrative Cases.
On Monday, the meeting was opened by Koen Lenaerts, President of the Court of Justice, who underlined the importance of dialogue between judges for ensuring effective protection of rights, stating: “Judges across the EU must continue to engage in constructive dialogue in order to render common values not empty promises but living truths. Through continued dialogue, we strengthen our unity; through unity, we fortify the rule of law.”
The first working session of the meeting was moderated by Koen Lenaerts, and an introductory speech on the origins, development and future perspectives of the Charter was given by Gráinne de Búrca, Professor at the European University Institute. The second session examined the link between the Charter and the values of the European Union. This session was moderated by Thomas von Danwitz, Vice-President of the Court of Justice, and the topic was presented by Elena-Simina Tănăsescu, President of the Constitutional Court of Romania. The third working session was devoted to the application of the Charter in the national legal orders. The session was moderated by Maciej Szpunar, First Advocate General, with presentations by Francesco Viganò, Vice-President of the Constitutional Court of Italy, and Dineke de Groot, President of the Supreme Court of the Netherlands.
The afternoon was devoted to thematic workshops on key issues relating to the Charter. The right to effective judicial protection was discussed by Villu Kõve, President of the Supreme Court of Estonia, moderated by Maria Lourdes Arastey Sahún, President of the Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Christos Ntouchanis, Vice-President of the Greek Council of State, spoke about the right to privacy and the protection of this right, with the discussion moderated by Marc van der Woude, President of the General Court. Martin Smolek, Judge of the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic, gave a presentation on the interaction between restrictive measures and fundamental rights, and the discussion was moderated by Savvas Papasavvas, Vice-President of the General Court.
Videos of the event will soon be made available on Curia Web TV.
On Tuesday 10 March, the participants attend the hearing of the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice in Case C-250/25 Like Company before heading back to their respective countries.
This regular event is an opportunity for national judges to see the Court in action and to participate in discussions with Members of the Court on subjects of common interest. It is organised by the Court in order to foster closer relations with all levels of the national judiciary throughout the EU and to provide a form for an exchange of ideas and mutual understanding.
Information of the Court of Justice of the European Union
