Network of Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the European Union holds annual Conference chaired by Chief Justice O'Donnell

The Network of the Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the European Union held its Conference on Friday, 12 June 2026, in Lemesos (Limassol), Cyprus. Hosted by the Supreme Court of Cyprus, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026, the Conference brought together the Members, Associate Members and Observers of the Network, as well as representatives of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Court of Human Rights and the Supreme Court of Canada. The Conference was structured around two working sessions, addressing matters of ongoing importance for the highest courts.

The Conference opened 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 were 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. A free discussion involving all Presidents and speakers followed.

The afternoon session, “Protecting individuals’ rights in the digital sphere – the impact of the Digital Services Act,” was moderated by Dr Danguolė Bublienė, President of the Supreme Court of Lithuania, who delivered an introductory presentation alongside Dr Savvas S. Papasavvas, Vice-President of the General Court of the European Union. A free discussion involving all Presidents and speakers followed.

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

“The objective for creating the Network back in 2004 was nothing less than “to form a homogenous community”. We now face issues that dwarf anything that would have engaged the founding members of the Network in 2004 – the rule of law is under express and explicit challenge around the world. It is precisely in this climate that the exchange between our highest courts is so valuable. I want to thank all the speakers of today, and indeed all participants, for the frank and engaged dialogue. My sincere thanks go also to President Stamatiou and the Supreme Court of Cyprus for their kind hospitality in welcoming us to Lemesos and for all the work done in organizing this Colloquium.”