Law Reform: The Digital Future of European Courts
The EU is developing a strategy to modernise justice systems with digital tools and cross-border cooperation.
The European Commission is drafting a new strategy to bring courts into the digital age by 2030. These reforms will involve faster case hearings, fewer delays, smarter tools (e.g., AI) and less paperwork. The European Commission intends to fix outdated, expensive and slow justice systems.
AI, Algorithms & Access to Justice
The European Commission has launched a public consultation for its new DigitalJustice@2030 Strategy, aiming to modernise justice systems across the European Union by the end of the decade. This initiative lays out a direction for Member States to follow in using digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to improve how justice works.
The strategy builds on a clear political mandate. Commissioner McGrath has been tasked with aligning Europe’s justice systems with broader economic and competitiveness goals.
These include the Draghi report, the AI Continent Action Plan, and President von der Leyen’s 2024–2029 Political Guidelines.
The core belief is simple: a more efficient and accessible justice system is good for the economy, especially for businesses that depend on legal predictability and fairness.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted serious weaknesses in court systems that lacked digital tools. Where digital case management and video hearings were possible, justice continued. Where they were not, entire systems stalled. The Commission now seeks to ensure that future crises will not leave justice systems in limbo again.
Despite some progress, the level of digitalisation varies greatly across the EU. Some countries have launched sophisticated tools such as electronic case files and online hearings. Others are still heavily reliant on manual paperwork. The aim of the strategy is to bridge these gaps.
One major challenge is that countries are not sharing what they are building. There is no central platform for pooling tools or standards, and judicial data is often hard to access or not usable in machine-readable formats. This also hinders the development of effective AI tools, which depend on large, structured datasets to work properly.
The strategy outlines several focus areas. It will create an IT and AI toolbox for justice that helps Member States identify existing solutions. It will support the creation of a European Legal Data Space to improve access to legislation and case law. It will also encourage digital court procedures, including for cross-border disputes. Secure digital identities, electronic signatures, and time-stamped communications are part of this framework.
All these efforts must be backed by proper funding. The EU will assess available funds in the current financial cycle and beyond. Equally important is training. Legal professionals will need to develop the skills to use new systems with confidence and competence.
The EU Commission sees digitalisation as a way to make justice more inclusive, especially for people who face obstacles such as distance, disability, or lack of legal knowledge. At the same time, it recognises the risks of digital exclusion and cybersecurity threats.
The DigitalJustice@2030 Strategy is about setting the foundation for a justice system that is consistent, secure, and ready for the future. It is also about making sure that rights are protected and accessible in a world that is becoming increasingly digital. The Commission is now inviting everyone, including members of the public, to take part in shaping this vision (feedback required between 26 May 2025 - 23 June 2025).
Europe’s Digital Justice Reform
Across the EU, justice systems vary widely in how they operate. Some rely on modern digital tools. Others are still heavily dependent on physical paperwork. This imbalance has created delays, backlogs and frustration for people trying to resolve legal issues. The DigitalJustice@2030 Strategy seeks to improve the situation by supporting a shift toward digital tools in every Member State.
The strategy identifies a lack of cooperation and data-sharing as a major obstacle. Most national systems have been built in isolation. There is no platform for Member States to share existing tools or standards.
Many do not have the financial resources to develop new systems on their own. The Commission believes a shared approach can reduce costs, encourage innovation and avoid duplication. Pooling solutions could allow justice systems across Europe to modernise more quickly.
Artificial intelligence tools are one of the most talked-about elements of the strategy. The Commission does not intend to impose their use, but rather to support informed decision-making about whether and how these tools can be used in specific justice contexts. The AI component will be developed in line with the EU AI Act. This is meant to ensure safety, consistency and respect for fundamental rights.
A central feature of the strategy is the proposed creation of an IT and AI toolbox for justice. This will include ready-to-use tools, guidance on interoperability, and examples of good practices already tested in some Member States. These resources could help courts process information more efficiently and speed up procedures that currently take months or even years.
Several proposals in the strategy require strong financial backing. The Commission acknowledges that without stable national and EU-level funding, many of the reforms may not be implemented. The next Multiannual Financial Framework will be key. In the meantime, existing EU funding programmes are expected to support initial work.
Efficiency is one of the goals, but the Commission also stresses fairness and accessibility. It highlights the importance of training for legal professionals. Many of them are not familiar with new digital tools. Without training and support, the risk of uneven uptake remains. The Judicial Training Strategy will therefore go hand in hand with this digital push.
The Commission sees modernisation as a way to build trust in justice systems. When processes are faster, easier to navigate and transparent, public confidence increases.
Who Funds the “Digi-Judges”?
The DigitalJustice@2030 strategy is ambitious in scope. It sets out to transform justice systems across the EU through digital tools, artificial intelligence, shared platforms and faster procedures.
These goals require more than vision. They need money. A lot of it. The European Commission recognises this reality clearly and has framed financing as a central challenge.
National governments are expected to implement the bulk of these reforms. However, many Member States face financial limitations. Some have under-resourced courts. Others have competing priorities for limited public funds. Digital reform often involves upfront costs that are difficult to justify politically, even when the long-term benefits are well understood. This includes investments in infrastructure, training, new software, cybersecurity and data systems.
The Commission does not plan to directly fund or develop national justice systems. Instead, it aims to create a shared framework to help Member States avoid duplication, reduce costs and work together. Common tools and standards could bring down individual national expenses. However, this shared infrastructure still depends on Member States having the means and willingness to adopt it. EU support will not eliminate the need for national spending.
Funding will come partly from the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which runs until 2027. Existing EU financial programmes can be tapped to support digital justice projects. But these programmes are already stretched across multiple priorities, from climate transition to defence. Justice systems may not always receive the attention they require.
Looking ahead, the Commission has indicated that future budget planning must take digital justice into account. The next MFF, which will cover the years 2028 to 2034, is expected to assess the funding needed for further implementation. The success of this strategy depends not just on whether funds are available, but also on how they are allocated.
Another key element is value for money. The Commission believes that digital justice reforms will lead to long-term savings. Digital procedures reduce administrative burdens and delays. Better data systems can inform policy more efficiently. Shared investments across Member States offer the chance to reduce waste.
Still, the short-term financial impact could be significant. These reforms will involve not only courts, but also legal professionals, IT providers, training bodies and public administrators. This scale of change needs coordination and sustained financial support at both EU and national levels. Without that, the strategy risks uneven implementation.
The consultation is now open between 26 May 2025 - 23 June 2025. The Commission is listening. But ultimately, it is national governments that will need to open their wallets if digital justice is to become a reality.
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