The newly established European Group on the Digitalisation of Justice (EGDJ) has issued a call for expressions of interest from scholars, practitioners and policymakers who are interested in taking on leadership roles for countries or regions within the new collaborative research network.
EGDJ is a Chapter-based research network focused on the digital transformation of judicial systems across Europe. The initiative seeks to study, evaluate and contribute to the development of digital justice systems, with particular attention to end-users, the judiciary, public administrations and wider institutional changes.
The call for expressions of interest is open until October 1, 2026.
New Research Network on Digital Justice
EGDJ has been created by Susanne Gössl of Bonn, Frederick Rieländer of Bremen, and Benedikt Schmitz of Groningen.
The network is intended to bring together researchers and professionals working on different aspects of procedural law and digitalisation. Its work will look at how technology is changing judicial systems and how these changes can be assessed and developed across different European jurisdictions.
The group has an interdisciplinary and comparative focus. It aims to examine existing approaches to the digitalisation of justice in different European countries while also exploring solutions that could help streamline digitalisation across the European Union.
Netherlands and Germany Launch as First Chapters
EGDJ is beginning its work with the Netherlands and Germany as its inaugural chapters.
Under the network’s structure, a Chapter can represent either a country or a region. Each Chapter is headed by one or more leads, who are responsible for bringing together a group of scholars, practitioners and policymakers.
The network is open to professionals from different areas of procedural law. This includes private international law, civil procedure, administrative procedure and criminal procedure.
The number of members in an individual Chapter is not limited. Existing national groups can also become Chapters, allowing established research networks to participate in the wider European initiative.
Call for Country and Regional Leads
As EGDJ seeks to expand beyond its initial Chapters, it is inviting interested individuals to take on the role of lead for their country or region.
Chapter leads will play an important role in developing the network at the national or regional level. While Chapters will participate in projects involving the wider EGDJ network, they will also have the opportunity to undertake their own national initiatives.
The structure is designed to encourage cooperation between researchers and professionals working on digital justice while allowing individual Chapters to focus on issues that are particularly relevant to their own legal systems.
The list of existing Chapters is available on the EGDJ website and will be updated on a rolling basis.
Comparative Approach to Digitalisation of Justice
One of the central features of EGDJ is its comparative approach.
Digitalisation is developing differently across European judicial systems. Countries have adopted different technological tools, legal frameworks and institutional approaches to digital justice.
By comparing these developments, EGDJ aims to identify existing approaches, evaluate their effectiveness and explore ways in which different European systems can learn from one another.
The group also aims to develop EU-wide solutions that could help make digitalisation more consistent across the bloc.
The initiative follows the discussions and insights generated during a comparative symposium held in Groningen in May 2026.
Open to Scholars, Practitioners and Policymakers
The network is designed to include people from both academic and professional backgrounds.
Chapter leads are expected to convene scholars, practitioners and policymakers from across the different fields of procedural law. This broad approach reflects the fact that digitalisation of justice involves more than technological change.
Changes to court systems can affect legal professionals, judges, public authorities and members of the public who use judicial services. They can also raise questions about procedure, access to justice, administration and the wider functioning of legal institutions.
EGDJ’s focus on these different perspectives is intended to support research that is relevant to both academic discussions and practical developments.
What Interested Applicants Need to Submit
Individuals interested in becoming a lead for their country or region have been asked to send an email to the EGDJ coordinators.
The expression of interest should include the applicant’s name, position and professional affiliation. Applicants should also identify the country or region they would like to represent and explain their motivation for taking on the role.
Applicants may also provide details of any previous experience related to the digitalisation of justice, where applicable.
The information will help the coordinators understand the interests and experience of prospective Chapter leads as the network expands.
October 1 Deadline
The soft deadline for expressions of interest is October 1, 2026.
EGDJ has described the deadline as a soft deadline, meaning that expressions of interest may still be submitted later. However, applications submitted after October 1 may not be considered in time for the network’s inaugural online meeting.
Following the deadline, the organisers plan to convene an online meeting to discuss the structure and future direction of EGDJ. Those taking part will have an opportunity to contribute directly to discussions about how the new European research network should develop.
Interested individuals can contact the EGDJ coordinators at info@egdj.org.
More information about the network and its existing Chapters is available on the EGDJ website:
European Group on the Digitalisation of Justice – Who We Are
The launch of EGDJ comes as courts and legal institutions across Europe continue to adapt to increasing digitalisation. By bringing together expertise from different procedural law fields and jurisdictions, the network aims to create a collaborative platform for studying these developments and contributing to the future of digital justice in Europe.
