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If you assume English is the main language in all EU institutions, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) would surprise you. Here, French remains the dominant language, and it's likely to stay that way. In March 2024 EU Justice Insight partners organised an enriching study visit to this prestigious institution, offering a unique insight into the workings of European justice.
On March 7 2024, a group of seven law students and representatives from European Dialogue, TFN, and Scambieuropei were warmly welcomed at the CJEU premises in Luxembourg. Their day was packed with insightful activities, beginning with attendance at a public hearing for case C-197/23 S., which focuses on the independence of judges in Poland. This case falls under the preliminary ruling procedure, a process unique to continental Europe and comparable only to systems in case-law countries.
The morning continued with a Q&A session with the Court's Press Officer, Mr. J. Zammit, providing the participants with a deeper understanding of the Court's public communications. Following a lunch break, the group attended a presentation on the General Court by Mrs. C. Rexha, Legal secretary in Judge Schwarcz's chambers, and an introduction to the Preliminary Ruling Procedure by Mrs. L. Šenkárová, Legal Secretary in Judge Gavalec's chambers.
The complexity of legal translation was highlighted in a session with Mr. J. Čuboň, a Lawyer-linguist in the Slovak Translation Unit. He emphasised the challenges of preserving legally binding meanings across languages, noting?: "French of the street is not the same as French of judges and lawyers."
The visit concluded with a tour of the Court's library, where participants met Mr. S. Russo, one of its administrators. This engaging day at the CJEU provided valuable insights and inspiration, highlighting the intricate and multilingual nature of European justice.
The European court system is a mix of many different legal traditions that work together to keep the EU running smoothly. If you want to learn more about how it all works, check out our EU Justice Insight website. There, you can find great resources and materials to help you understand the fascinating world of EU justice.