CEELI talks

This episode explores how the courts should be preparing for life after pandemic conditions. What will be the effect of the unprecedented rate of suspended and delayed cases? What new cases can the courts expect to emerge as a result of the pandemic and the measures taken to control it? Many courts were already struggling with delivering justice in a timely fashion – how should they be preparing for an even worse backlog? Should some of the measures that have been taken during the pandemic, such as the use of remote trials, be continued as a tool to expedite proceedings? What lessons have we learned? What is the exit strategy?
In this episode, we talk to Judge Vera Doborjginidze from Georgia about some of these questions, as well as Andrea Huber from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, who has been supporting post-pandemic planning for European judiciaries. Bilyana Gyaurova-Wegertseder of the Bulgarian Institute for Legal Initiatives also shares how her civil society organization supports the judiciary and, in our on-going spotlight series on judicial tools, we look at the Social Media Guidelines developed by our own Judicial Network.
For further information, resources, and other works by the CEELI Institute including our series of Podcasts and Webinars please go to ceeliinstitute.org.
This project has been made possible through the generous support of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) at the U.S. Department of State. ​
Hosts & Guests
Carolyn Elliott-Magwood Host
Freda Grealy Host
Vera Doborjginidze Guest
Andrea Huber Guest
Bilyana Gyaurova-Wegertseder Guest

The introduction of emergency legislation in response to the Covid-19 pandemic has been immediate, understandable, and effective. But often it has been drafted and delivered without allowing for judicial oversight. What is the role of the judiciary in ensuring emergency legislation does not impinge on the rights of the citizen? How can the judiciary ensure that domestic safeguards are upheld, and international standards are followed?
In this episode, we discuss these issues with Judge José Igreja Matos, President of the European Association of Judges, and hear about court challenges to emergency legislation in the Czech Republic from Dr. Jan Grinc, Professor at Charles University. Judge Katica Artuković from Bosnia Herzegovina also provides an on-the-ground view from the bench during the pandemic, and we shine a spotlight on the Brijuni Statement on Judicial Independence, a regional statement that highlights many of the principles examined in this episode.
For further information, resources, and other works by the CEELI Institute including our series of Podcasts and Webinars please go to ceeliinstitute.org.
Hosts & Guests
Carolyn Elliott-Magwood Host
Freda Grealy Host
José Igreja Matos Guest
Jan Grinc Guest
Katica Artuković Guest

Because the stakes are so high, access to justice is often considered within the context of criminal law. However, many people come into contact with the justice system to resolve non-criminal disputes. This episode will look at the role of administrative and civil courts in the pandemic crisis. What is the role of the administrative courts in holding governments to account? How can civil and administrative courts ensure their functions continue during a state of emergency? What critical decisions and urgent matters must be addressed?
We talk to administrative judge Edith Zeller of Austria and civil judge Domagoj Frntić of Croatia to get their perspective on these matters. Matt Pollard from the International Commission of Jurists also provides a report on what the European Court of Human Rights has said about fairness in the context of remote video trials, and we shine a spotlight on the Judicial Manual on Independence, Impartiality and Integrity of Justice – a project of the Central and Eastern European Judicial Exchange Network.
For further information, resources, and other works by the CEELI Institute including our series of Podcasts and Webinars please go to ceeliinstitute.org.
Hosts & Guests
Carolyn Elliott-Magwood Host
Freda Grealy Host
Edith Zeller Guest
Domagoj Frntíc Guest
Matt Pollard Guest

It is vital that courts are kept open and that access to justice is maintained, but protecting the health of the community has challenged the usual order of business. This episode explores how the wheels of justice can continue to operate during the current global health crisis, particularly in the context of criminal trials. What are the core functions that the judiciary needs to deliver to deal with urgent issues despite the pandemic? What critical decisions and urgent matters must be addressed?
We talk to the Right Honourable Justice Bernard McCloskey of Northern Ireland about his view of these matters, including the limitations of videoconferencing to replace in-person trials during pandemic restrictions. Ilze Tralmaka of Fair Trials also provides an overview of her organization’s concerns surrounding access to justice during the pandemic, and our spotlight series looks at the bi-weekly Webinar Roundtable Discussion Series CEELI is presenting with the Central & Eastern European Judicial Exchange Network.
For further information, resources, and other works by the CEELI Institute including our series of Podcasts and Webinars please go to ceeliinstitute.org.​​
Hosts & Guests
Carolyn Elliott-Magwood Host
Freda Grealy Host
Bernard McCloskey Guest
Ilze Tralmaka Guest