- Entities
- European Law & Governance School
- Academy of European Public Law
- Academy for Transparency and Human Rights
- European Institute of Management and Governance
- Institute for Justice and Growth (IJG)
- Training Institute for Law & Governance
- Institute for Humanities and Culture - Nicos Svoronos
- Institute for the Mediterranean
- Institute for Regulatory Innovation, Delivery and Effectiveness (IRIDE)
- Brčko National School of Public Administration (BNSPA)
- The Institute for Privacy Law, Data Protection and Technology (IPL)
- Institute for Sustainable Development
- Circular Economy and Climate Institute
- Institute for Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation (ΙPRI)
- Institute of Sustainable Water Management and Water Law
- European Institute for Criminal Law and Criminal Justice System
- Institute of Global Rule of Law
- Tax and Accounting Academy
- Institute on Crime & Criminal Justice (ICCJ)
- Center for Gender and Equality Policy Studies (CEGEPS)
- REI - Regional Environmental Institute
- Institute for Global Health Emergencies Response (IGHER)
- Institute for Transparency & Fundamental Rights
- Mediterranean Migration and Asylum Policy Hub (MedMA)
- Institute for Higher Education, Law & Governance (IHELG)
- Cooperation And Partnerships
- Activity Reports
- Locations
- Contact us
- Education & Training
- Degree Programs
- ELGS Degree Programs
- LLM in International Economic Law (IEL)
- Joint International Master’s in European and Comparative Public Law with La Sapienza
- Double Degree Bachelor Program
- Seminars & Training Courses
- Academy for Transparency and Human Rights Programs
- Preparatory Program for the National School of Judges
- Seminar on Islamic Law
- Distance Learning Program for Greek Civil Servants
- Activities of the Institute for Humanities & Culture-Nicos Svoronos
- Environmental Governance Training School (UNEP/MAP MEPIELAN)
- Summer Schools
- ELGS Summer Course on Europe's response to the most pressing crises
- ELGS Migration Summer School on Migration Pathways
- Academy of European Public Law
- Biolaw and BioMedicine in the Post-COVID era
- Summer Academy on Energy Diplomacy and Global Geopolitics
- Internship Program
- Research
- Publications
- Research
- Series of Events
- EGPL Annual Reunions
- EPLO Malta Meetings
- Pan-European Bratislava Meetings
- John Anastopoulos International Lecture Series
- Manuel Chrysoloras International Lecture Series
- Revision Of The Hellenic Constitution Series
- The Discussions Of Janus
- Court Of Audit Lecture Series
- Bucharest Lecture Series
- Odessa Lecture Series
- Wolfson College, Cambridge Sir David Williams -European Legal Dialogues
- Stand Alone Events
- Calendar
Our News
Monday, 20 January 2025
The Global Rule of Law Conference in Cascais
The International Conference on “The Rule of Law and the Administration of Justice” brought together distinguished judges, university professors and legal scholars to discuss the challenges to judicial independence and governance in contemporary democracies. It was held on 18-19 January 2025 at Casa de Santa Maria in Cascais, on the premises of the EPLO Regional Branch in Portugal, and was organized by the EPLO Institute for the Global Rule of Law, in close cooperation with the EPLO Regional Branch in Portugal and with the valuable support of the Municipality of Cascais. This Conference took place right after the 6th Session of the EPLO Global Rule of Law Commission (GRoLC), hosted at the Municipality of Cascais on 17-18 January 2025.
Professor Spyridon Flogaitis, President of the EPLO Board of Directors and EPLO Director, and Ms. Margarida Lima Rego, Dean of the NOVA School of Law, delivered the opening remarks of the Conference. Professor Flogaitis highlighted the crucial role of international organizations in supporting judicial independence and strengthening the Rule of Law globally. Dean Lima Rego stressed that legal education plays a vital role in preparing future judges and legal professionals, ensuring they are dedicated to upholding the constitutional principles.
Ms. Maria Lúcia Amaral, Ombudsperson of the Republic of Portugal, through her keynote speech emphasized the fundamental role of judicial independence in upholding democracy and human rights.
The Conference featured four thematic sessions, during which the rapporteurs underscored the need for international legal cooperation and cross-border dialogue to protect judicial independence in an era of rising global challenges:
- “Rule of Law and the Administration of Justice”: Eminent judges and professors emphasized the necessity of strong legal and institutional safeguards to maintain judicial independence. The discussions also included the risks and implications of court-packing strategies as well as the growing impact of social media and artificial intelligence on the judiciary.
- “Map of Contemporary Attacks on the Judiciary”: Political interference, court underfunding and threats to judicial autonomy were addressed referring especially to case law by the European Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Justice and case studies from Brazil and Chile.
- “Social and Cultural Conditions of Judicial Independence”: The discussions focused on the role of legal traditions, public trust and the balance between judicial authority and democratic accountability.
- The “General Conclusions” session was chaired by Professor David Feldman, Emeritus Professor from University of Cambridge, and Ms. Teresa Violante, Director of the EPLO Institute for the Global Rule of Law, presented a comprehensive overview of the Conference’s main insights.
The Conference included perspectives from different legal traditions and governance models, leading to a truly global discussion on judicial independence. It hosted 52 participants from 21 nationalities, including judges, legal scholars, diplomats, government officials and civil society representatives. Among them, 66% were from Europe (41% from Portugal, 25% from the rest of Europe), 20% from Africa and 14% from the Americas and Asia. At the same time, the presence of the students from the EPLO ELGS MA program on “Global Rule of Law and Democracy”, now implemented on-site at the EPLO ELGS campus in Portugal, highlighted the importance of engaging future specialized legal professionals.
This International Conference reaffirmed EPLO’s commitment to strengthening the Rule of Law globally through institutional cooperation, legal education and policy initiatives.
Find more details about the Conference's program here.
.jpg)
