期刊名称：International Journal for Court Administration
印刷版ISSN：2156-7964
电子版ISSN：2156-7964
出版年度：2012
卷号：4
期号：2
出版社：International Association for Court Administration
摘要：In 2011, the Consultative Council of European Judges produced an Opinion on justice and information technologies. It was my privilege to act as the supporting expert. This article is a reflection on the process of Opinion 14 and on its final product. It includes an evidence-based analysis of the state of IT in courts in Europe. It provides some insights into the opportunities and risks relating to IT in courts. This article also looks forward, in preparation for the International Conference on Court Administration in The Hague in June 2012. It closes with a critical evaluation of the way IT is changing courts and judiciaries. The Opinion 14 Process The Conseil Consultatif de Juges Européens (CCJE) is an advisory body of the Council of Europe (CoE). It is composed exclusively of judges, and advises on issues related to the independence, impartiality and competence of judges. The Council of Europe itself was founded on May 5 1949 by 10 countries; it now has 47 member countries. Its purpose is “to develop throughout Europe common and democratic principles based on the European Convention on Human Rights”2. Its institutions include a parliamentary assembly, a council of ministers and the European Court of Human Rights. It is distinct from the European Union, which is primarily a political entity. The CoE is located in Strasbourg, France. The CCJE produces an Opinion every year. The CCJE, after receiving its terms of reference for its 14th annual Opinion from the Council, first conducted a survey among its members on the use of IT in the courts in the member states. The results served to inform the preparation of the Opinion. A working party consisting of 9 CCJE members, each a judge representing a member state, met in Strasbourg twice to discuss and draft the Opinion. Finally, the draft was discussed and adopted in a plenary meeting of the CCJE in November 2011. It is now on the CCJE Council of Europe web site3
