International cooperation

Nordic and European networks

The Supreme Court has a long tradition of cooperating with the Nordic courts of law and the European judicial network.

The joint judges' meeting of the highest courts of Nordic Countries has convened on a regular basis for decades, with each country taking turns as a host and discussing the topical judicial issues and phenomena of the respective countries.

The Network of the Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the European Union is a cooperative organ that also provides its members a joint discussion forum. The network convenes regularly throughout the EU Member States.

The Supreme Court also takes part in the activities of the Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe. Its role is to maintain and promote Europe's common constitutional heritage, i.e., human rights and the principle of the rule of law. In addition to the members of the Council of Europe, it has members from other states as well.

One of the modes of operation of the Venice Commission is cooperation with the Constitutional Courts of the member states and other highest courts of law (JCCJ network), through which the courts can present questions to the courts of law of other countries about their legislation and constitutional legal practice for the purposes of cases pending in national courts. Liaison officers specifically appointed for the task at the Supreme Court act as contact persons of the Venice Commission.

The Supreme Court is also a member of the Superior Courts Network of the Council of Europe member states, maintained by EIT. The network develops dialogue and cooperation on the application of judicial issues related to the interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights between the members of the network.

Referendaries and cooperation between the Supreme Courts of the EU

Supreme Court referendaries are involved in the activities of the referendary network operating in connection with the network of the EU Supreme Judicial Courts. The network aims at facilitating comparative law and to speed up the dissemination of relevant information regarding the EU and human rights. Via their contact referendaries, the highest courts belonging to the network can consult each other on issues related to, for example, legal practice or the content of legislation.

Involved in exchange programmes for judges

The Supreme Court takes part in international activities concerning exchange programmes for judges, and has provided introductory periods of various lengths for judges participating in exchange programmes of the courts of other European countries.

Visits at the Supreme Court

Every year, the Supreme Court is visited not only by judges taking part in exchange programmes in different courts of law, but also by numerous international groups and delegations.