On May 28, 2024, the esteemed jury of the Junior Crystal Scales of Justice Prize convened to deliberate and announce the recipients of this prestigious award. After careful consideration, the jury bestowed the honor upon a team of students hailing from the Faculty of Law at Leiden University in the Netherlands. The distinguished recipients include Matheus F. Andrade Mendes, Rosa S. Calles Contreras, Justy Thomas, and Paul Benedict Lee, under the guidance of Philex T.L. YE, for their exemplary defense of an initiative proposed by the Court of Appeal of Mons in Belgium. This initiative, centered around the establishment of a specialized “Civil and Criminal Chamber in Environmental and Urbanism Matters,” previously recognized by the CEPEJ in 2023, garnered accolades for its innovative approach and profound impact.
Additionally, the jury extended two special mentions to commendable teams:
The team from the Faculty of Law, Political Science, and Criminology at the University of Liège in Belgium, supervised by Patrick WAUTELET, for their defense of the Cypriot project titled “Kids in Court Game (KiCGame).”
The team from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary, under the supervision of Reka SOMSSICH, for their advocacy of the project titled “Facility Dogs Europe – FYDO.”
Chaired by esteemed figures including Jean-Paul JEAN, Ivan CRNCEC, Meryem DEMIR, Seçkin KOCER, Séverine MENETREY, Florence THEPOT, and Martin PLISSONNIER, the jury meticulously evaluated each project’s merits and impact on the justice system.
The Junior Crystal Scales of Justice Prize, a collaborative effort between the CEPEJ and the Faculty of Law of Strasbourg, serves as a testament to the commitment to innovation and excellence in the legal field. Open to Master’s students from member states of the Council of Europe or observer countries of the CEPEJ, this biennial award celebrates groundbreaking initiatives contributing to the efficiency and quality of justice.
In this third edition, seven student teams from various European countries competed, showcasing their ingenuity and dedication to advancing justice. The award ceremony is slated to take place during the CEPEJ plenary meeting on June 18 and 19, 2024, providing a platform for the winning team to showcase their exemplary project.