The 3rd Consortium meeting of the European co-funded project JODES (Judicial Officer Exchange System) took place on 26 June 2025 at the premises of OSAE (Ordem dos Solicitadores e dos Agentes de Execução) in Lisbon. The event was officially opened by Mara Fernandes, President of the Conselho de Agentes de Execução, who welcomed participants and expressed the importance of in-person collaboration. The UEHJ was represented by Patrick Gielen, Secretary General UIHJ who participated online.
A Structured Review of Progress and Coordination
The meeting brought together all partners of the project to review the status of the project and to coordinate the final steps leading to its completion. Co-funded by the EU Justice Programme, JODES aims to modernize and secure judicial communication across borders through innovative tools and shared digital infrastructure.
Technological Infrastructure and Integration Strategy
The meeting also focused on the technical implementation of the JODES infrastructure. The integration strategy, developed in close collaboration with EU-LISA and the European Commission, supports secure document transmission and legal interoperability between national systems.
The consortium has successfully deployed the Reference Implementation System and fully interconnected it with national gateways and the European Court Database. Centralized updates, secure authentication via Keycloak, and the adoption of the EDS ID standard ensure legal traceability and digital integrity for participating judicial officers.
Key Deliverables: D4.1 and D4.2
Two central deliverables were examined in detail:
– D4.1 – Identification of Judicial Officers and European Court Database: This deliverable defines the system by which judicial officers are securely and reliably identified at the European level. The use of standardized identification (EDS ID) and territorial mapping ensures a consistent framework across jurisdictions.
– D4.2 – Integration of National Case Management Systems (CMS): Rather than require users to adopt an entirely new platform, the project proposes a notification-based integration approach. This enables judicial officers to receive and manage cross-border cases within their national systems, enhancing user adoption and minimizing disruption.
Both deliverables were developed in consultation with partners and are being implemented progressively, with national data collection and technical alignment already underway.
Data Management and National Coordination
National entities, such as Ministries of Justice and National Chambers, play a central role in maintaining accurate and up-to-date directories of judicial officers. Updates are communicated through structured workflows and integrated into the European Court Database using standardized formats.
The project has implemented secure digital workflows and authentication protocols to ensure the continuity and legal validity of judicial communications across borders. Data integrity, identity verification, and standardized forms are at the core of the platform’s design.
Capacity Building and Next Milestones
Recognizing the complexity of the system, the consortium has prioritized training and user engagement. Educational materials, technical guides, and practical workshops are being developed to ensure smooth onboarding of judicial officers and stakeholders.
Key upcoming milestones include:
- Fourth Steering Committee – 18 September 2025 (Luxembourg or online)
- Next Consortium Meeting – 22 October 2025 (Brussels)
- Final Closing Conference – 3 December 2025 (Brussels), in the presence of representatives from the European Commission, the Council of the EU, and national institutions
Conclusion
The Lisbon meeting confirmed the continued momentum of the JODES project as it enters its final phase. Through effective collaboration, structured coordination, and shared commitment, the project is setting a new standard for digital interoperability in judicial enforcement across Europe. The coming months will consolidate these achievements and present them to the broader legal and institutional community during the final conference in December.
