UIHJ 2027 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS

Lisbon

 
 

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Welcome to the UIHJ website dedicated to the International Congress of Lisbon – Estoril 2027

The International Union of Judicial Officers (UIHJ) is an international non-governmental organization established in 1952 with the aim of promoting, coordinating and developing the activities of judicial officers and enforcement agents at the international level. Through close cooperation with nationally representative professional bodies, the UIHJ strives to ensure the dignity and independence of the profession to provide better service to individuals and the community.

Today, the UIHJ brings together 103 members from 98 countries. It maintains active cooperation with numerous international organizations, including the United Nations, UNCITRAL, the Hague Conference on Private International Law, the World Bank, the IMF, USAID, the Council of Europe and CEPEJ, the European Union, the EBRD, the European Law Institute (ELI), OHADA and ERSUMA, UEMOA and ASEAN.

We are honored to organize our 2027 International Congress in Lisbon, which will take place in Estoril, Portugal. We look forward to welcoming you to share our common commitment around the theme:

“Judicial Officers, Pillars of a Modern, Human and Efficient Justice System”.

This theme fully reflects the contemporary evolution of the profession. At a time of digital transformation, intensified international economic exchanges and growing citizens’ expectations regarding legal certainty, judicial officers are asserting themselves as essential actors in ensuring the effectiveness of the law, guaranteeing accessible, balanced and forward-looking justice.

The UIHJ International Congresses have always represented major milestones in the reflection and development of the profession. They have led to significant structural advances such as:

  • Judicial Officers as Trusted Third Parties (Rio 2024);
  • Cyberjustice: New Opportunities for Judicial Officers (Dubai 2021);
  • Ensuring Secure and Sustainable Justice – Judicial Officers as Essential Elements of Good Governance (Bangkok 2018);
  • Judicial Officers: The Link between Law and Economy, A New Approach to Enforcement (Madrid 2015);
  • The 21st Century Judicial Officer (Cape Town 2012);
  • Judicial Officers in the Law, in the State, in the World (Marseille 2009);
  • Harmonization of Enforcement Procedures in an Area of Justice without Borders (Washington 2006);
  • Globalization of Law in a Universal Area of Justice (Tunis 2003).

The Lisbon – Estoril 2027 International Congress is part of this scientific and institutional continuity. It will provide a privileged opportunity to deepen reflection on the role of judicial officers as pillars of a modern justice system, integrating technological innovation, strengthening ethical requirements and the essential human dimension of every act of justice.

In a world where economic dynamics are predominant, it is fundamental that legal professionals reaffirm the centrality of the law and contribute to strengthening its prestige. In the field of enforcement of judicial decisions, UIHJ uses its experience and influence to promote the effectiveness of rights, an essential condition for the rule of law.

UIHJ also positions itself at the heart of the digitalization of justice, highlighting judicial officers as indispensable trusted actors in digital environments, ensuring legal certainty and procedural reliability.

From a scientific perspective, the UIHJ relies on a Scientific Council composed of university professors from several continents and develop partnerships with numerous academic institutions. It published the Global Code of Enforcement in 2015, the Global Code of Digital Enforcement in 2021 and the Global Code of Professional Standards in 2024, thereby contributing to structuring international reflection on the future of enforcement.

Organized every three years, the UIHJ International Congress constitutes a major scientific event and an essential meeting point for the profession. It represents a unique platform for exchange where judicial officers from around the world, alongside major international organizations and academics, combine their expertise to advance the work of justice.

Participation in the Lisbon – Estoril 2027 Congress is open to all. We look forward to welcoming you in large numbers to write together a new chapter in the history of the profession and to reaffirm, at the heart of Europe, the central role of judicial officers in a modern, human and efficient justice system.

The Ordem dos Solicitadores e dos Agentes de Execução (OSAE) is the public professional association that represents, regulates, and supervises the professions of solicitor and enforcement agent in Portugal.

Established to ensure high standards of technical competence, professional ethics, and independence, the OSAE plays an essential role in the functioning of the Portuguese justice system. It ensures the quality of the services provided by its members and contributes to the effective access to law and justice.

In carrying out its responsibilities, the OSAE is responsible, among other functions, for regulating access to the professions, defining and overseeing the applicable ethical rules, promoting the initial and continuing training of professionals, and defending the dignity and prestige of the professions it represents.

The OSAE also plays an important role in the modernization of the sector by promoting technological innovation, the digitalization of procedures, and the continuous professional development of its members, thereby supporting the evolution of the justice system and responding to the needs of citizens and businesses.

At the international level, the OSAE maintains close cooperation with organizations and institutions active in this field, including the International Union of Judicial Officers (UIHJ), contributing to the global dialogue on the evolution of legal professions and to the exchange of best practices between different legal systems.

By hosting the 26th International Congress of the UIHJ in Lisbon, the OSAE reaffirms its commitment to international cooperation, innovation, and the strengthening of the role of professionals responsible for the enforcement of judicial decisions worldwide.

Welcome message

Marc Schmitz

President of UIHJ

Lisbon – Estoril awaits you!

The next International Congress of the International Union of Judicial Officers will be a truly exceptional moment in the history of our organisation and our profession.

In 2027, we will have the immense pleasure of meeting in Lisbon–Estoril, Portugal, to celebrate not only our triennial Congress, but also the 75th anniversary of the UIHJ. Three quarters of a century of commitment to the rule of law, legal certainty and the effective enforcement of court decisions.

The theme chosen for this Congress – ‘The judicial officer, keystone of modern, humane and efficient justice’ – is fully in line with the contemporary challenges facing our societies.

In a world undergoing profound change, marked by digitalisation, artificial intelligence, globalisation of trade and the acceleration of procedures, justice cannot be limited to a decision. It must be enforced. It must be understood. It must be accessible.

The judicial officer is precisely the legal professional who acts as the link between the law and its practical implementation.

He guarantees legal certainty, ensure the effectiveness of rights and act as a trusted third party at the heart of the judicial system.

But being a keystone does not mean being immobile!

On the contrary, it means taking on a responsibility: that of driving the evolution of justice towards greater modernity, without ever losing its human dimension.

A modern justice, because it integrates digital tools, electronic procedures, technological innovation and new forms of assets.

A humane justice, because it places human dignity, listening and proportionality at the heart of its actions.

An efficient justice, because a decision that is not enforced loses all real significance.

This Congress will be an opportunity to explore these three dimensions in greater depth, compare national experiences, identify best practices and chart the prospects of our profession together.

The celebration of the UIHJ’s 75th anniversary will also invite us to look back on the progress made since 1952.

From a few founding associations to a global organisation that now has members on every continent, the UIHJ has established itself as an international benchmark in the field of enforcement and professional standards.

This anniversary will not only be a moment of commemoration. It will be a springboard for the future.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to our organising partner, the Ordem dos Solicitadores e dos Agentes de Execução (OSAE) and its president, Anabella Veloso, whose commitment and professionalism will ensure an event that lives up to our shared ambitions.

I am also delighted to be able to count on our colleague Luc Sowah from Togo, who has been appointed General Rapporteur of the Congress. Under his leadership, the scientific program will bring together high-level speakers and offer a structured, ambitious and forward-looking reflection.

Lisbon, a historic crossroads between continents, a symbol of openness and dialogue, a place of international exchange and encounters, will provide the ideal setting for writing a new page in our collective history.

We will strongly affirm that judicial officers remain, today more than ever, an indispensable keystone of a modern, humane and efficient justice.

I look forward to welcoming you to Lisbon-Estoril.

Lisbon-Estoril awaits you…

Marc SCHMITZ

President of UIHJ

Anabela Veloso

President of the OSAE

It is with great honour and pleasure that, on behalf of the Ordem dos Solicitadores e dos Agentes de Execução (OSAE), I extend to you the warmest welcome to the 26th International Congress of the UIHJ.

Hosting this Congress in Portugal represents a moment of great significance for our Order and for all professionals who, daily, contribute to the effectiveness of justice and to the strengthening of the rule of law. This international gathering provides a unique opportunity to share experiences, reflect on the current challenges facing the profession, and deepen cooperation between legal systems from different countries.

Lisbon, a city rich in history, culture, and openness to the world, offers the ideal setting to welcome professionals from all five continents. We are confident that this Congress will provide a privileged forum for dialogue, innovation, and the development of solutions that strengthen the role of professionals in promoting a justice system that is more efficient, transparent, and closer to citizens.

The OSAE feels deeply honoured to host the international community of the UIHJ and is fully committed to ensuring that this Congress will be both a moment of high scientific and professional value and a memorable experience of exchange and fellowship.

We look forward to welcoming you to Lisbon so that, together, we may celebrate international cooperation, professional excellence, and the future of our profession.

You are all most welcome!

Luc Sowah

General reporter of the Congress

Dear colleagues, dear friends, dear all,

At the outset of my remarks, I would like to pay a heartfelt tribute to President Marc Schmitz, to all the members of his Bureau, and to all the members of the Scientific Council for their determination, commitment, and ability to drive progress within the International Union of Judicial Officers (UIHJ).

It was 2:08 p.m. GMT on 23 January 2025 when my phone rang. On the line was President Marc, who told me: “Luc, we are meeting at the UIHJ headquarters in Paris. The entire Bureau has decided to appoint you as General Reporter for the Lisbon Congress. I replied that I could not accept. Quite simply, I did not feel worthy of this unexpected honor.

Very quickly, however, encouraged by the support of Patrick, Luis, Françoise and others, I embraced the momentum of this remarkable adventure, which I know will be unforgettable.

Together with the Scientific Council and the Portuguese National Chamber of Judicial Officers, the theme “The Judicial Officer, a pillar of modern, humane and efficient justice” was adopted. This topic is fully aligned with the profound transformations currently reshaping our world and raises many questions. Is the traditional structure of our profession still in step with the shift from a material world to a digital one? Does humanity still have a place in a digital environment increasingly driven by machines? What will be the effectiveness of justice delivered by algorithms, through algorithms—not for algorithms, but for humans, and without humans?

A multitude of questions that fully justify our gathering in Lisbon, and whose answers will have an immediate and lasting impact on justice, while strengthening our profession in a rapidly evolving world.

For a meaningful and fruitful reflection, I invite all colleagues and all friends of the UIHJ across the world to come together and contribute, through their presence and insights, to the success of the 26th UIHJ Congress, which will take place in April 2027 in Lisbon.

In Portugal, the useful will perfectly combine with the pleasant, making our stay truly memorable.

Alongside the congress, in addition to the welcome reception and gala dinner, participants will have the opportunity to discover the many wonders Portugal has to offer, including the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, the Alfama district, Commerce Square, the Santa Justa Lift, Cristo Rei, and the Pena Palace in Sintra. We will also be able to take the iconic Tram 28, visit the famous Pink Street, and explore Saint George’s Castle.

I warmly encourage you to keep the entire month of April 2027 free for an unforgettable experience in Portugal.

With my sincere thanks,


Luc Sowah
General Reporter of the UIHJ Lisbon Congress 2027

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