Marking the 25th anniversary of the Charter of Fundamental rights

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 meeting was opened by the President of the Court of Justice, Koen Lenaerts, 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 meeting provides an opportunity to reflect on

• the origins, development and future perspectives of the Charter (moderated by President Koen Lenaerts and introduced by Professor Gráinne de Búrca)
• its relationship with the values of the Union (moderated by Vice-President Thomas von Danwitz and introduced by President Elena-Simina Tănăsescu)
• its application within national legal orders (moderated by First Advocate General Maciej Szpunar, and introduced by Vice-President Francesco Viganò and President Dineke de Groot)

The afternoon is devoted to thematic workshops on key issues relating to the Charter:

• the right to effective judicial protection (moderated by Judge Maria Lourdes Arastey Sahún and introduced by Chief Justice Villu Kõve)
• the protection of privacy (moderated by President Marc van der Woude and introduced by Vice-President Christos Ntouchanis)
• the interaction between restrictive measures and fundamental rights (moderated by Vice-President Savvas Papasavvas and introduced by Judge Martin Smolek)

Videos of the event will soon be made available on Curia Web TV.

On Tuesday 10 March, the participants will 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.

For an in-depth look at fundamental rights within Europe and the interplay between the EU Charter and the European Convention on Human Rights, watch Talking European law and Human Rights - Presidents Koen Lenaerts & Mattias Guyomar in conversation, where the presidents of the Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights discuss these issues.