At the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), October is marked by the Autumn seminar. For the 21st edition, the JTI moved to Spa together with 136 judicial trainees and 100 speakers, who gave the best of themselves. The speakers shared their knowledge, methods and field experience with the trainees present by giving them a 360 degrees view on the functioning of the magistrate. Eventually, it was enriching for both the participants and the speakers.
The Autumn seminar is a unique concept in the training portfolio of the JTI. It is the only training in which first-year, second-year and third-year students from different language groups participate at the same time. It gives first-year the opportunity to liaise with their senior coworkers. The uniqueness of the concept makes the Autumn seminar timeless as it is a set concept with strong foundations. That's why it was scarcely adjusted during the 21st edition.
Being a magistrate entails more than knowing the law
From Sunday 4 till Friday 9 October 2015, the trainees got an idea of what it is to be a magistrate. For the first-year trainees the seminar was a first encounter because it is the first time that they undergo training at the JTI and get in contact with their peers.
The seminar is also an important starting point for them. Although the trainees are already well-acquainted with law being a magistrate requires more than knowledge of legislation. By presenting them during one week with the different facets of being a magistrate, they all get a clear idea of what the function of magistrate entails: the police prosecutors, standby duty, criminal investigation, … all of these subjects are being addressed.
For the second-year and third-year trainees the training courses are a further deepening because they are already familiar with the seminar.
To cover all the aspects related to the function of the magistrate, the JTI calls upon experts from the field, who are veterans in this kind of work. With a lot of enthusiasm, the latter share their knowledge with the trainees. However, the seminar is enriching and confrontational for the speakers as one of the coaches explains:
“I am and will remain convinced of the necessity of this seminar. It enables judicial trainees to meet the cream of the magistrature in a short period of time. While the seminar fascinates it is at the same time fascinating. Whilst it motivates it is as well motivating. On the other hand it is also a chance to build a network of contacts and even friends. I was surprised by the quality of the trainees. They form the backbone of the imminent magistrature that will enhance the image of the judiciary. Moreover, I believe that their example will spill over to the current magistrates, who sometimes forget how lucky they are.”
Du Four will step down as a coach
This 21st edition was also dominated by the departure of coach Christian dufour, who cooperated to no less than 12 editions of the Autumn seminar (2004-2015). He also helped with several other training courses for trainees and magistrates. Ms Edith Van den Broeck, director of the JTI, was very grateful to Mr. Du Four for the supporting the current generation of magistrates and for contributing to the generations in the pipeline.
European and international exchange
Besides this first encounter, the trainees will also participate in European exchange programmes. To this extent, AIAKOS and THEMIS generate huge opportunities to exchange knowledge and experiences with trainees from other European countries.