Ethics as it applies to judges is an issue central to the rule of law, for it requires that concrete rules be established implementing the principles of independence and impartiality enshrined in European and international law. Maintaining a high level of reflection on ethics requires that every judge engage in a theoretical and practical reflection on their day-to-day practices and the situations that can create conflicts of interest but also emerging issues relating to the imperatives of managerial effectiveness, the use of social media or digital tools and AI. This course is intended to provide a reminder of the main ethical principles applicable in an international and comparative approach, by presenting recent, clear sets of ethical guidelines, but also to generate a practical and up-to-the-minute reflection on these issues. Workshops will allow for discussions on actual cases encountered by the participants in their professional practice with the ultimate aim of contributing to the strengthening of public trust in the justice system.

Training objectives 
The session will alternate the following activities:

• Presentations of the main stakeholders in the field and the networks that work on these issues at international level (such as the Council of Europe’s European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice) in order to acquire a knowledge of the applicable international framework;
• Reflections and contrasts based on elements drawn from French law and comparative law;
• Exchanges and practical workshops in which the participants will respond according to their own legal frameworks.