Opening of the judicial year

Solemn hearing and judicial seminar


The solemn hearing for the opening of the judicial year takes place on the evening of the last Friday of January in front of a distinguished gathering of representatives from the Superior Courts of the 46 Council of Europe member States as well as former judges of the Court, ambassadors, dignitaries of the Host State (France) and other high-level invitees. During the ceremony, the President of the Court and his or her Guest of Honor address the audience in turn. 

The solemn hearing is preceded by a judicial seminar which provides a forum for discussion between judges of the Court and judges of national superior courts. The proceedings of the seminar are later published in the “Dialogue between judges” series.

Solemn hearing - Opening of the Judicial Year 2025 - 31 January 2025


A solemn hearing took place at the Court on 31 January 2025. During the solemn hearing, Marko Bošnjak, President of the Court, and Christophe Soulard, First President of the Court of Cassation of France, addressed representatives from the highest courts of the 46 member States of the Council of Europe and from local, national and international authorities.

 Speech by President Marko Bošnjak

 Speech by Christophe Soulard (in French only)

Video of the solemn hearing: Original language - English - French

Judicial Seminar - Opening of the Judicial Year 2025 - 31 January 2025


A judicial seminar on Protecting human rights in a world of Artificial Intelligence, algorithms and big data took place on 31 January 2025, at which many eminent figures from European judicial circles were be present.

 Background paper

 Programme

 Introductory speech by President Marko Bošnjak

 Speech by Vytautas Mizaras

Video of the seminar: Original language - English - French

Previous Years