E-JusticeServices and Information

The E-Justice Council is the central strategic steering body for the digital transformation of the justice system. Together with the Federal-State Commission for Information Technology in the Justice System (BLK), it coordinates cooperation between the federal and state governments, develops joint IT standards specific to the justice system, and takes policy-setting decisions on the use of digital applications.

On 1 July 2026, the Free State of Bavaria took over the chairmanship of the E-Justice Council from North Rhine-Westphalia. Assuming the chairmanship entails a great deal of responsibility for the digital transformation of the judiciary, a responsibility which I am happy to accept.

The importance of the E-Justice Council becomes particularly clear against the backdrop of the ongoing digitalisation of the judiciary and the far-reaching digital transformation taking place within the state and society in general. Without efficient, reliable information technology that meets the requirements of the judiciary as the third branch of government, the functioning of the judiciary in its current form would be inconceivable. With the widespread implementation of electronic legal proceedings and the introduction of electronic case files in courts and public prosecutors’ offices, an indispensable foundation for digital case management has already been laid. At the same time, I am convinced that this is merely the beginning of a comprehensive digital transformation of the judiciary.

The E-Justice Council operates under the guiding principle of “Digitising together for a strong nation of laws”. This approach makes it clear that the digitisation of the justice system is not the responsibility of individual courts, authorities or federal states. It will succeed only if the federal government and the federal states join forces, set common priorities, and develop and utilise digital solutions together.

Significant steps towards a unified digital justice landscape have already been taken through nationwide IT projects “Bundeseinheitliche Justizcloud”, the ‘nationwide justice cloud’, for example, is one such key digitalisation and structural project undertaken by the federal and state governments. The aim is to establish a sovereign, secure and high-performance operating platform for the judiciary’s IT systems. In future, this platform will host the ‘GeFa’ joint specialist system, the ‘dabag’ specialist system (nationwide land register database) and the ‘AuRegis’ specialist system (electronic register procedures). All three applications are intended for use at both the federal and the state level.

Another key focus is the use of artificial intelligence. It offers the opportunity to safeguard the high quality of the administration of justice in the future – despite increasingly complex proceedings and ever-dwindling staff resources. At the same time, we must not lose sight of the risks associated with AI systems. One thing is certain: decision-making must remain the preserve of judges and judicial officers.

It is particularly important to me to continue the proven spirit of cooperation within the E-Justice Council, to bring ongoing federal and state-level projects to a successful conclusion as soon as possible, and at the same time to launch new strategic initiatives with determination and commitment. Our shared goal is, and remains, a modern, efficient and citizen-centred digital justice system.

Herr Ministerialdirektor (Mr Director-General) Dr. Winfried Brechmann 
Head of Department at the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice
Chair of the E-Justice Council