Lessons from the Central European Judicial Community

On 12 November, the CEELI Institute, in collaboration with the Czech Association of Judges, hosted a one-day event titled “How to Effectively Resist Pressures on Judicial Independence in the Context of Central Europe.”

Designed specifically for Czech judges, it offered a unique opportunity to learn from the experiences of judiciaries across Central Europe that have navigated various institutional challenges in recent years. The goal was not to speculate about potential threats, but rather to equip judges with practical tools and knowledge to strengthen public trust and professional integrity proactively, thoughtfully, and informed by lessons from experience in the region.

Robert Strang, CEELI Institute’s Executive Director, opened the event by underscoring the importance of adequate preparation and resilience. Later, Libor Vávra, President of the Czech Association of Judges, emphasized the value of regional dialogue and the responsibility of the judiciary to cultivate trust through openness and principled conduct.

Following this address, Anna Adamska Gallant, Judge at the European Court of Human Rights, delivered an outstanding keynote where she spoke out about the innate power of the courts

“Courts serve as an early-warning system. They protect individuals from the omnipotence of the state and safeguard minority rights, checks and balances, and the rule of law” Judge Anna Adamska Gallant

Speakers from various Central European jurisdictions described increasingly sophisticated methods used to weaken judicial independence, including politically motivated retirements, smear campaigns, and interference in judicial appointments. The discussion underscored that Czech judges can benefit from learning how other judiciaries have already responded to similar situations. 

Insights were also shared on the evolving role of judicial communication. Vice-President of the Supreme Court Petr Šuk and regional media experts stressed that strengthening communication capacity, internally, publicly, and through collaboration with journalists, is today indispensable for maintaining credibility and trust.  

There were several effective safeguards and lessons for Czech judges that were identified that day. Firstly, what was highlighted was the need to be interested in people and their existing perceptions, as well as the effort to truly understand their concerns.  

The second safeguard was to further strengthen the relationship with journalists and media on the one side but also scale up the media and social media presence and strategies. In his remarks, Bartłomiej Przymusiński, President of the Polish Judicial Association Iustitia, encouraged judges to reassess established practices and traditional methods of judicial communication to be better equipped for a crisis.  

A strong focus was placed on the significance of clear, strategic communication with the public and media to uphold judicial credibility. Media professionals and judges from across the region agreed that courts today require thoughtful, modern communication strategies not just during emergencies, but as an ongoing effort to reinforce public trust. Sharing experiences and knowledge regionally continues to play a crucial role in promoting resilience, professionalism, and confidence in the judiciary. 

In today’s political climate, Judges across Central Europe are learning that clearly that good communications may be one of the most powerful tools they have to protect democracy.