The General Assembly of the ENCJ gathered in Vilnius from 8-10 June.  One of the aims of the meeting was to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the judiciary in the current economic climate. The Vilnius Declaration was  adopted that lists a set of recommendations for the judiciaries of Europe on how to respond to the actual challenges and opportunities they are facing. The recommendations call for the development of long term policies that include necessary reforms of the judiciary. Courts should improve their efficiency, alternative dispute resolution should be promoted, and the judiciary should develop stronger relations with civil society to reinforce public confidence and gain support for the necessary reforms. Councils for the Judiciary should take the lead in the reform process involving judges and courts.

The ENCJ General Assembly meeting was hosted by the Judicial Council of Lithuania, one of the founding Members of the ENCJ, supported by the National Court Administration. The ENCJ was particularly honored to have the President of the Republic, Ms Dalia Grysbaukaite, address the General Assembly and expressing hersupport for the work of the ENCJ. The President underlined the importance of the cooperation through ENCJ for the improvement of the judicial systems across Europe for the benefit of citizens and society as a whole.