Open Access Government highlights the EU Justice Scoreboard, discusses broader justice and fundamental rights policy, and concludes with the National justice systems aspect of the recent Rule of Law Report
In June 2024, the European Commission published the twelfth edition of the EU Justice Scoreboard, which provides comparative data on the quality, efficiency and independence of justice systems in European Union (EU) Member States. The public’s perception of judicial independence has improved compared to 2023, even in countries facing systemic challenges.
The EU Justice Scoreboard
In 2024, the Scoreboard introduces new data on the accessibility of justice, including information on professions for individuals with disabilities, consumer protection, salaries of legal staff, and the independence of justice, such as court president appointments, the dismissal of Prosecutors General, and asset declarations.
The 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard noted an improvement in the perception of judicial independence, even in countries that had faced systemic challenges. Additionally, it highlighted the appointment of prosecutors and the dismissal of the Prosecutor General.
The report also addressed the potential for further digitalization of justice systems and the different approaches to child-friendly proceedings for children involved as victims, or suspects, or accused persons.
The EU Justice Scoreboard shows that the European Commission’s efforts to strengthen judicial independence are proving successful. It identifies areas for improvement and celebrates progress toward fostering trust in legal institutions and ensuring accessible justice for all, as the Vice-President for Values and Transparency noted.
“Over the last twelve years, the Scoreboard has proven to be a reliable tool to keep stock of our progress and to identify areas of potential improvement across Member States, contributing to our efforts to further safeguard the rule of law and support the rights of citizens and businesses alike,” Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency (2019–2024) added.
The EU has allocated over €305 million for the 2021-2027 Justice programme to develop a European area of justice. This funding will improve national justice systems, strengthen the rule of law, democracy, and rights protection, and ensure access to justice. It supports training, mutual learning, judicial cooperation, and awareness-raising. (1)
Justice and fundamental rights policy
Did you know that the EU’s justice and fundamental rights policy is based on the values of human dignity, democracy, freedom, the rule of law, equality, and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities? The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU includes all the civic, personal, political, economic, and social rights enjoyed by people within the EU.
The objectives of the Commission are as follows:
- Ensuring respect for the fundamental rights of individuals by the EU and its member countries.
- Ensuring equal treatment based on sex, ethnic origin or race, religion or belief, age, disability, and sexual orientation.
- Protection of people’s data throughout the EU.
- Ensuring access to justice in case of legal difficulties in the EU.
- Empowering and protecting consumers. (2)
Rule of Law Report: National justice systems
In late July 2024, the Commission published its fifth annual Rule of Law Report, systematically examining rule of law developments in all Member States. Compared to the 2020 report, Member States and the EU are better prepared to prevent, detect, and address emerging challenges, contributing to the resilience of European democracies, mutual trust in the EU, and the good functioning of the single market.
Over the last year, justice reforms have continued to be a top priority for many Member States, with several implementing significant changes to strengthen judicial independence. These changes include enhancing the independence and effectiveness of Councils of the Judiciary, improving judicial appointment procedures, and strengthening the autonomy of prosecution services.
Some Member States have introduced measures to enhance the efficiency and quality of justice and to improve access to the judicial system. In contrast, systemic concerns about judicial independence persist, and specific cases of deterioration have been observed. However, the pay of judges and prosecutors is worrying in some countries, which has made it difficult to attract qualified judicial staff.
The report recommends that Member States address challenges such as ensuring safeguards in judicial appointment procedures, protecting the autonomy of the prosecution service, and providing adequate resources, including salaries, for the judiciary.
In the enlargement countries, important reforms, including constitutional-level changes, have been carried out to enhance judicial independence and improve the quality of the justice systems. However, there is still more work to be done, especially in areas concerning the operations of the judiciary’s self-governing bodies and the appointment of judges.
“The rule of law is the glue to our democracies and a safeguard of our rights. Without the rule of law our democracies and economies would be in shambles.” Vice-President for Values and Transparency added. (3)
