Justice Forum: Networking in the Area of Justice, Freedom and Security

The Commission has announced that it will set up a "Justice Forum" on April 15th 2008 to talk about the application of the laws in the area of justice, freedom and security.

According to a recent press release, the Justice Forum

"...will comprise of practitioners, including judges at various levels, civil and criminal lawyers, prosecutors and other practitioners working in the justice systems of the Member States. Importantly, other relevant parties, such as academics and representatives of NGOs working in this field will also be involved. The individuals will be stakeholders from Member States providing their views and experience but not representing Member States."

The press release does not make very clear exactly what the Justice Forum will do. It states that a short "communication setting out the rationale, format, composition and working methods of the Justice Forum is available on Commissioner Frattini's website. But someone should have a word with him and say: "It just ain't there, dude."

Anyway, it appears that a first meeting has already taken place, even before the Forum has been established, to discuss "how best to develop a common European legal culture". No less.