The Conference will open with a working session on “Rule of Law: Challenges in the 21st Century,” moderated by Mr Donal O’Donnell, Chief Justice of Ireland and President of the Network.  Introductory presentations will be delivered by Dr Tatu Leppänen, President of the Supreme Court of Finland; Dr Síofra O’Leary, Hauser/Remarque Fellow at NYU and former President of the European Court of Human Rights; Mr Maciej Szpunar, First Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union; and The Right Honourable Richard Wagner, P.C., Chief Justice of Canada.

Mr Donal O’Donnell, Chief Justice of Ireland and President of the Network, said:

“The conference of the Network will provide a valuable opportunity for the Presidents of Europe’s supreme courts to meet and discuss issues of mutual concern. One of the great strengths of the Network is that it facilitates open and informed dialogue between its members and enables us to learn from one another’s experience in a spirit of collegiality and mutual respect.

The main theme of this year’s conference, ‘Rule of Law: Challenges in the 21st Century’, is one of particular significance. I am particularly pleased that the discussion will benefit not only from the perspectives of members of the Network, but also from contributions from the European Court of Human Rights, the Court of Justice of the European Union and the Supreme Court of Canada. The opportunity to consider these questions from different judicial perspectives will, I am sure, enrich the discussion. 

I am very grateful to President Stamatiou and to the Supreme Court of Cyprus for hosting this year’s conference.”