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International Conference on the Rule of Law and the Administration of Justice

18-19 January 2025

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The International Conference on “The Rule of Law and the Administration of Justice” brought together distinguished judges, university professors and legal scholars to discuss the challenges to judicial independence and governance in contemporary democracies. It was held on 18-19 January 2025 at Casa de Santa Maria in Cascais, in the premises of the EPLO Regional Branch in Portugal, and was organized by the EPLO Institute for the Global Rule of Law, in close cooperation with the EPLO Regional Branch in Portugal and with the valuable support of the Municipality of Cascais. This Conference took place right after the 6th Session of the EPLO Global Rule of Law Commission (GRoLC), hosted at the Municipality of Cascais on 17-18 January 2025.

Professor Spyridon Flogaitis, President of the EPLO Board of Directors and EPLO Director, and Ms. Margarida Lima Rego, Dean of the NOVA School of Law, delivered the opening remarks of the Conference. Professor Flogaitis highlighted the crucial role of international organizations in supporting judicial independence and strengthening the Rule of Law globally. Dean Lima Rego stressed that legal education plays a vital role in preparing future judges and legal professionals, ensuring they are dedicated to upholding the constitutional principles.

Ms. Maria Lúcia Amaral, Ombudsperson of the Republic of Portugal, through her keynote speech emphasized the fundamental role of judicial independence in upholding democracy and human rights.

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The Conference featured four thematic sessions, during which the rapporteurs underscored the need for international legal cooperation and cross-border dialogue to protect judicial independence in an era of rising global challenges:
• “Rule of Law and the Administration of Justice”: Eminent judges and professors emphasized the necessity of strong legal and institutional safeguards to maintain judicial independence. The discussions also included the risks and implications of court-packing strategies as well as the growing impact of social media and artificial intelligence on the judiciary.
• “Map of Contemporary Attacks on the Judiciary”: Political interference, court underfunding and threats to judicial autonomy were addressed referring especially to case law by the European Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Justice and case studies from Brazil and Chile.
• “Social and Cultural Conditions of Judicial Independence”: The discussions focused on the role of legal traditions, public trust and the balance between judicial authority and democratic accountability.
• The “General Conclusions” session was chaired by Professor David Feldman, Emeritus Professor from University of Cambridge, and Ms. Teresa Violante, Director of the EPLO Institute for the Global Rule of Law, presented a comprehensive overview of the Conference’s main insights.

The Conference included perspectives from different legal traditions and governance models, leading to a truly global discussion on judicial independence. It hosted 52 participants from 21 nationalities, including judges, legal scholars, diplomats, government officials and civil society representatives. Among them, 66% were from Europe (41% from Portugal, 25% from the rest of Europe), 20% from Africa and 14% from the Americas and Asia. At the same time, the presence of the students from the EPLO ELGS MA program on “Global Rule of Law and Democracy”, now implemented on-site at the EPLO ELGS campus in Portugal, highlighted the importance of engaging future specialized legal professionals.

This International Conference reaffirmed EPLO’s commitment to strengthen the Rule of Law globally through institutional cooperation, legal education and policy initiatives.

 

6th Session of the Global Rule of Law Commission of the European Public Law Organization

17-18 January 2025

Τhe 6th Session of the EPLO Global Rule of Law Commission (EPLO GRoLC) took place on 17-18 January 2025 in Cascais, Portugal. Its distinguished members from all over the world were brought together once again to continue their work and deliberate on their third Rule of Law Report, dedicated this time to Africa.

This high-level Session was organized by the EPLO Regional Branch in Portugal with the generous support of the Municipality of Cascais and it marked another milestone in the Commission’s effort to strengthen legal governance, promote international cooperation and address key challenges in Africa.

The discussions during the Session focused on the third Rule of Law Report, which will be presented at the UN General Assembly (6th Committee) in due time during 2025. The Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the legal frameworks, governance structures and constitutional transitions across the African region and it emphasizes the importance of judicial independence, separation of powers and access to justice as fundamental principles of stability and development.

The Session was opened by Professor Giuliano Amato, President of the EPLO GRoLC, who highlighted the Commission’s commitment to addressing Africa’s unique legal and governance landscape. Professor Spyridon Flogaitis, Director of the EPLO, underscored the Commission’s role as well as the importance of the EPLO observer status at the United Nations. During the Session, the EPLO GRoLC members reviewed the first draft of the Africa Report. They stressed the importance of cooperating with the African Union and regional legal institutions to ensure that the Report presents accurately the African perspective, based on the contributions from the African members of the EPLO GRoLC. Additionally, they mentioned the need for alignment with Agenda 2063 to promote constitutionalism, institutional resilience and the connection between the Rule of Law and international peace and security. The Commission’s work will continue under the EPLO Institute for the Global Rule of Law, which provides scientific and research support to the EPLO GRoLC, in order to finalize the Report. Further deliberations will take place during the next EPLO GRoLC Session in July 2025.

Concluding, Professor Spyridon Flogaitis reaffirmed the EPLO’s commitment to promoting the Rule of Law globally, while Professor Giuliano Amato praised the collaborative efforts of the EPLO GRoLC members and reiterated the significance of presenting the Africa Report on global platforms.

After the conclusion of the above mentioned Session, an International Conference on “The Rule of Law and the Administration of Justice” was held on 18-19 January 2025 at Casa de Santa Maria in Cascais, within the premises of the EPLO Regional Branch in Portugal. This Conference further explored the issues discussed during the Session with a specific focus on judicial independence, providing a broader platform for international dialogue and collaboration.

President Rebelo De Sousa receives the Global Rule of Law Commission members

Third Working Session in Cascais
Thursday & Friday, 11-12, January 2024

The European Public Law Organization (EPLO) Regional Branch in Portugal successfully hosted the third session of its Global Rule of Law Commission (GRoLC), referred to as the Cascais Commission, from January 11 to 12, 2024, at the Municipality of Cascais.

The primary focus of this session was the adoption of the Commission’s initial Report on the Rule of Law, scheduled to be submitted to the UN General Assembly’s Sixth Committee in March 2024. This comprehensive Report examines the state of the Rule of Law in Europe, outlining fundamental principles and implementations. In a significant development, a Master’s program in Global Rule of Law and Democracy was announced, reflecting the Commission’s commitment to education and advancing the rule of law. This initiative will be feasible from the academic year 2024-2025 through the valuable support of the Municipality of Cascais and the cooperation of the EPLO European Law and Governance School (ELGS) and the Institute for the Global Rule of Law, based also in Cascais.

The Director of EPLO, Professor Spyridon Flogaitis, expressed gratitude for the Commission’s dedicated efforts in promoting the Rule of Law globally. The President of the Commission, Professor Giuliano Amato, highlighted its mission to harmonize and improve legal systems worldwide, recognizing their diversity and incorporating specific indicators. Ms. Teresa Violante, Director of the Institute for the Global Rule of Law, engaged in a thorough discussion with the Commission and its President, incorporating valuable insights, which led to the adoption of the above-mentioned Report.

Notable attendees included the UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and the UN Legal Counsel, Miguel de Serpa Soares, who commended the Commission’s impactful work and emphasized its valuable contribution to the UN’s shared objectives in advancing the principles of the Rule of Law globally. The Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, Grigor Minasyan, added significance as a special guest and speaker by presenting the Constitutional Reform of Armenia.

On January 11, 2024, the GRoL Commission was honored with an audience by H.E. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic, at the Presidential Palace, during which they discussed the activities and notable advancements of the Commission in promoting the principles of the Rule of Law.

The two-day meeting concluded with a closing ceremony at the Casa de Santa Maria, the premises of the EPLO Regional Branch in Portugal, featuring impactful remarks by the Minister of Justice of the Portuguese Republic, Professor Dr. Catarina Sarmento e Castro, who affirmed the collective goal of building, defending and implementing the rule of law. Moreover, the Secretary of State for European Affairs, Professor Dr. Tiago Antunes, acknowledged the Commission’s vital role, drawing inspiration from principles beyond court legality, as outlined in Portugal’s transformative Carnation Revolution. The Chief of Staff of the Secretary of State, Dr. Pedro Espírito Santo Silva, was also present.

Invitations were extended to all Embassies, Diplomatic Missions, and International Organizations accredited to the Portuguese Republic, resulting in the participation of distinguished guests. Among them were the Ambassador of Cyprus, Elpidoforos Economou, the Ambassador of Greece, Vassilis Papadopoulos, and the Ambassador of Italy, Carlo Formosa, along with representatives from many other Embassies, such as Angola, Brazil, Egypt, Estonia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Cabo Verde.

Global Rule of Law Commission

Second Working Session
GRoLC annual report for the year 2023
Monday & Tuesday, 24-25, July 2023

The July meeting was devoted to finalizing the Commission’s annual report on the Rule of Law to be submitted to the Sixth Committee of the UN General Assembly. The report examines the state of the Rule of Law globally and in particular regions, which by the year 2023 will be the European Union and the United States

Global Rule of Law Commission

Inaugural Meeting of the EPLO Global Rule of Law Commission
Tuesday, 10 January 2023

The welcome addresses were given by Dr. Tiago Antunes, Secretary of State for European Affairs, followed by Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, Under-Secretary General and Legal Counsel of the United Nations.

The EPLO Global Rule of Law Commission, composed by personalities from all parts of the world, according to the principle of geographical representation, will develop a comprehensive Global concept of the Rule of Law with respect to Universal Values and diversity in a dialogue of civilizations.

The EPLO Global Rule of Law Commission shall be open to receive information from any part, for the state of the Rule of Law around the world. The Commission members shall not have political considerations in pursuing the execution of their duties and shall not have sanction powers of any kind. The commission operates from the EPLO Headquarters in Cascais, Portugal.

This meeting follows the official announcement of the initiative to the 6th Committee of the United Nations, New York, on 10 November, where the EPLO has permanent observer status to the General Assembly.

EPLO announces the Global Rule of Law Commission

at the United Nations
Monday, 14 November 2022

The EPLO, having among its aims the promotion of public law and governance worldwide, in cooperation with the United Nations system, established a Global Rule of Law Commission, in the frame of its Global Rule of Law Initiative, which was launched in 2019 at the UN Headquarters. The objective is to develop a comprehensive Global concept of the Rule of Law with respect to Universal Values and diversity, in a dialogue of civilizations. The Commission shall be available to all the nations to provide, if asked, advice and expertise on issues of Rule of Law.

A side event for the presentation of the commission, sponsored by the Permanent Representations of Greece, Italy, Mozambique and Portugal to the United Nations took place on 14 November 2022, at conference room 7 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The event was welcomed by Mr Miguel de Serpa Soares, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel and by: Ambassador Maria Theofili, Permanent Observer of Greece to the United Nations, Ambassador Maurizio Massari, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations, Ambassador Ana Paula Zacarias, Permanent Representative of Portugal to the United Nations and Mr Omar Remane, Sixth Committee delegate for Mozambique.

Keynote Speaker was the President of the Committee, Professor Giuliano Amato, former President at the Constitutional Court of Italy, former Prime Minister of the Italian Republic.

The event was chaired and moderated by Ambassador Barbara Faedda, Permanent Observer of EPLO to the United Nations NYC.

The audience addressed also Ms Teresa Violante, Director of the Institute for the Global Rule of Law and Professor Spyridon Flogaitis, Director of the EPLO.

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