EU Justice Scoreboard 2016: learning from each other to improve the effectiveness of national justice systems

Commenting on today’s presentation of the main findings of this year’s EU Justice Scoreboard, Commissioner Jourová said: “The fourth EU Justice Scoreboard shows that Member States’ efforts to improve justice systems continue to bear fruit. The key role of national justice systems in upholding the rule of law, enforcing EU law and establishing an investment-friendly environment deserve these efforts”. The EU Justice Scoreboard which gives a comparative overview of the efficiency, quality and independence of justice systems in the EU Member States. Its aim is to assist national authorities in their efforts to improve their justice systems by providing this comparative data. The Scoreboard is part of the European Semester, the EU’s annual economic policy coordination process that aims to boost Member States’ economic performance and competitiveness. In this fourth edition, the Justice Scoreboard includes, for the first time, the results of Eurobarometer surveys conducted to examine the perception of judicial independence in the EU among citizens and businesses in more detail. This edition also uses new indicators in particular on judicial training, user surveys in Member States, the availability of legal aid and the existence of quality standards. The Commission also published today the results of first Eurobarometers analysing the perceived independence of the national justice systems in the EU among the general public and among companies. You’ll find more information in the press release, the full 2016 Scoreboard, the Q&A, the factsheet and the press conference.