50 lay judges from countries all over Europe are meeting to agree and publish a joint European Charter. The third European Lay Judge Forum is being held in London from 22 to 24 July 2011. The Forum's objective is to extend lay involvement in judicial decision making as an essential component of a democratic society. In essence, the objective is to create a European wide strategy to emphasise the role of ordinary citizens as judges and assessors within the justice systems of any of the states.
The 2011 Lay Judge Forum will be taking place in London, on the occasion of the 650th celebration of the institution of Justices of the Peace in England and Wales. The Forum is a constituent part of the project entitled ‘European Day of Lay Judges’ which is funded by the European Commission. It has been organised by the European Academy Berlin, the Federal Association of Lay Judges (Germany) and the Magistrates’ Association of England and Wales.
Outline of the programme
Friday, 22 July 2011
| 13.30 hrs |
Reception at the Magistrates’ Association
Visit to Supreme Court and to Royal Court of Justice |
| 19.00 hrs |
Close |
Saturday, 23 July 2011
| 09.00 hrs |
Lay involvement in criminal law across Europe |
| 14.00 hrs |
Lay involvement in civil law across Europe |
| 17.00 hrs |
Lay involvement in commercial law |
| 17.30 hrs |
Lay involvement in juvenile law |
| 18.00 hrs |
Close |
Sunday, 24 July 2011
| 09.00 hrs |
A European charter for lay judges: discussion |
| 14.00 hrs |
A European college of lay judges |
| 15.30 hrs |
Conference closes |
Conference venue
The Royal College of Surgeons of England
35-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields
London WC2A 3PE
www.rcseng.ac.uk
For further information please see:
http://www.eab-berlin.eu/Europaeischer-Tag-des-ehrenamtlichen-Richters.304.0.html
Or contact John Thornhill, Chairman, Magistrates’ Association telephone 07714 759 466 or email john.thornhill@magistrates-association.org.uk. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
