The Conference “Binding Effect of Judicial Decisions“ built on one of the main priorities of the Czech Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe – strengthening the rule of law. Representatives of key Czech and international judicial institutions and legal experts discussed issues related to the binding effect of jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the national courts and the relationship between constitutional and ordinary courts within the national legal systems. The keynote speakers and panellists included the President of the Court of Justice Koen Lenaerts, the President of the European Court of Human Rights Guido Raimondi, the President of the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic Pavel Rychetský, the President of the Supreme Court of the Czech Republic Pavel Šámal or the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland. The delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was led by the Deputy Minister for Legal and Consular Affairs and the Agent of the Czech Republic before the Court of Justice of the European Union Martin Smolek.

The Czech Republic chairs the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe from 19 May to 15 November 2017. During its Chairmanship it focuses on several priority areas. Apart from strengthening the rule of law they include protecting the human rights of persons belonging to vulnerable or disadvantaged groups and promoting gender equality, supporting local and regional democracy and public administration reforms, promoting human rights education and linguistic skills and cooperation and coordination with other international organizations. More than 20 expert events reflecting the priorities will be organized in the Czech Republic as well as abroad during the Chairmanship. The Conference “Binding Effect of Judicial Decisions“ was held by the Supreme Court of the Czech Republic.