Access to Justice in a Multilevel European Constitutional System

ended

Access to justice examined from a constitutional point of view in the global context of sustainable development takes on unprecedented connotations that exacerbate the tension between courts and legislators at national and supranational level. From the perspective of the protection of fundamental rights, it reveals its dual nature as a fundamental right itself and as an instrument for the protection of fundamental rights, the scope of which can well be defined starting from the approaches reached by the jurisprudence of the European Courts and the National Highest Courts, given the mutual influence they have exercised and continue to exercise. The Module, thus, aims to: examine the different levels of protection within the EU and the interaction between them (EU, CoE, national and international levels); foster EU studies and build an inclusive, multi-disciplinary and transnational network of excellence on access to justice, effective judicial protection, independence and impartiality of the judiciary in the globalised world; raise awareness, educate and involve civil society in the decision-making process and provide them with the essential knowledge on the EU’s structure, policies and safeguards, in a dialogue with other regional systems and in light of the latest scientific advancements, but also democratic challenges. For these goals, it will propose the following activities: an annual course for law and LLM students and an advanced course for graduates in different discipline, both with qualified guest lectures from leading academics and practitioners with complementary expertise; round-tables and conferences open to non-legal students and civil society; study-visits to the EU Institutions; mock trials; team-work; calls for contributions and papers for researchers. All of them will be promoted through the Module’s website and social pages. The former will also have a newsletter, a database and update on the latest news on the EU’s policies and higher courts.