The Crystal Scales of Justice Prize, which rewards innovative judicial practices within European judicial institutions, has been awarded by the Council of Europe's Commission for the efficiency of justice (CEPEJ) to the Dutch Council for the Judiciary for its initiative aimed at supporting people in debt.
The Schuldenfunctionaris ("Debt officer") project contributes to finding solutions for people in debt by appointing debt officers within the courts to support debtors and identify potential problems at an early stage.
Worthy runners-up
Two special mentions have also been awarded to the following projects:
- " Support center for conservatorship", the Flemish Justices of the peace (Belgium);
- "Hyper-automation of order for payment procedures in justice", Ministry of Justice (Spain).
For this year's edition of the European Crystal Scales of Justice Prize, 28 projects from 16 countries were submitted, focusing on efficiency and access to justice, the protection of victims and digitalisation of justice.
Cyprus hosts the ceremony
The Prize has been given to the Dutch Council for the Judiciary represented by Jan van Breda, Programme leader Innovation and Implementation, Femke Damsteegt, Judge at the Supreme Court and Herman van Harten, Judge at the Hague Court of Appeal, in the presence of CEPEJ President Francesco Depasquale. Members of the competition jury, composed of prominent figures in the field of justice, were also present at the ceremony to explain their decision.
The Judicial Training School and "Hope for children" CRC Policy Center (Cyprus), winners of the last edition of the Prize (2023), hosted the event.
The representatives of the awarded projects will be invited to present them at the CEPEJ plenary meeting in December 2025.
The projects awarded the Crystal Scales of Justice Prize will also serve as research subjects for Master's students from law faculties to the CEPEJ. These students are invited to participate in the fourth edition of the Junior Crystal Scales of Justice Prize, which will be launched in October 2025.
Crystal Scales of Justice Prize
Impact of the European Convention on Human Rights
