The European Day of Lay Judges: 9 – 11 May 2025 Bergamo, Italy

Between May 9 and 11, 2025, the European Day of Lay Judges and an accompanying conference of the European Network of Associations of Lay Judges (ENALJ) were held in Bergamo, Italy.

Representatives from Bulgaria were Mimo Garcia, founder and director of the „Lay judges” Foundation, and Ivanka Georgieva Stoycheva, chair of the foundation’s Public Council.

A key highlight of this year’s conference was Italy’s accession to the ENALJ, increasing the number of EU member states in the network to 15.

The existing governing board was unanimously re-elected with a mandate until 2028, and its composition is as follows:

• President
  Rainer Sedelmayer (Austria)
• Vice-President for EU-Matters
  Paulette Vercauteren (Belgium)
• Vice-President for Science and Research
  Prof. Piotr W. Juchacz (Poland)
• Vice-President for Training and Education
  Margherita Morelli (Italy)
• Secretary General
  Hasso Lieber (Germany)

Additionally, a Standing Committee for Equality was established within the ENALJ, with Mr. Garcia elected as a member.

Listen to and read Mimo Garcia’s speech