On 26 May, Leopoldo García, Susana Sanz and Almudena Del Castillo, members of the research team led by Dr Sanz on the crisis of the Rule of Law (PID2021-126765NB-I00) and democratic resilience against hybrid threats (CIAICO/2024/191), took part in the academic breakfast discussion Judicial Independence: A Pillar of the Rule of Law, held at Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU.
The event brought together representatives from academia and the legal profession to discuss an issue of particular importance for contemporary democracies: the role of judicial independence as a fundamental guarantee of the Rule of Law.
Representing the project, Leopoldo García, Susana Sanz and Almudena Del Castillo had the opportunity to share this forum for reflection with scholars, legal practitioners and members of various institutions connected to the legal sector.
Among the participants were the Rector of CEU Cardenal Herrera University, Higinio Marín, together with legal professionals and representatives of a number of legal institutions and associations, including José Manuel Ortega Lorente, President of the Provincial Court of Valencia; Margarita Soler Sánchez, President of the Legal Advisory Council of the Valencian Community; Francisco Javier Soler Flores, Director General of the Regional Ministry of Justice, Transparency and Participation; Manuel Mata Pastor, Dean of the Castellón Bar Association; and Vicente Garrido Mayol, President of the Broseta Foundation.
Judicial independence remains one of the essential pillars of democratic systems and a necessary condition for ensuring the effective protection of citizens’ rights and freedoms. For this reason, initiatives that encourage reflection and debate on this issue are particularly relevant in the current context.
Participation in events of this kind also provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen the connection between academic research and legal practice, while fostering the exchange of ideas and experiences on issues that are at the forefront of both academic and public debate.
The event enabled members of the research team to exchange views with legal professionals and experts, while gaining new perspectives and insights that may contribute to the development of their ongoing research.
The team’s participation in dissemination and knowledge-transfer activities such as this reflects the project’s commitment to addressing some of the major legal and institutional challenges of our time and to promoting rigorous research that is closely connected to contemporary realities and beneficial to society.
