On 30 September 2025, the French Contact Points of the European Judicial Network (EJN) gathered for their 8th annual meeting at the Ministry of Justice, at the Millénaire site in Paris.
The day was opened by the Director of Criminal Affairs and Pardons, who emphasized the importance of the network as a true forum for mutual assistance and a dynamic space for dialogue to strengthen cooperation. A representative of the EJN General Secretariat presented the EJN’s methodology and tools, highlighting the Secretariat’s key role in supporting its members.
The meeting brought together 21 general prosecutors, EJN Contact Points, 5 liaison magistrates, the French national member of Eurojust and members of the central authority, who participated either in person or remotely. In total, 32 EJN Contact Points for France participated.
Throughout several roundtable discussions, participants addressed a variety of topics. Representatives from public prosecutors’ offices shared their expectations and described local initiatives designed to enhance European cooperation.
Liaison magistrates from EJN member states outlined the procedural specificities of their respective countries and reiterated their roles as facilitators of mutual legal assistance. These contributions fostered the exchange of best practices among the Contact Points.
One roundtable focused on mutual legal assistance in the surrender of individuals, notably addressing the recent concerns regarding guarantees on detention conditions. The liaison magistrate based in the Netherlands offered particularly valuable insights on this issue.
The day concluded with feedback on the 10th evaluation cycle of the European Investigation Order (EIO), which served as an opportunity to share recommendations with judicial authorities aimed at further improving the effectiveness of European mutual assistance.
In the end, the meeting enabled EJN Contact Points —who are the true enablers of judicial cooperation— to engage in rich discussions, reflect on the future of European collaboration, and explore ways to make cooperation even more efficient.