Mongolia

From Hamm to Hagen: Mongolian judicial representatives visit North Rhine-Westphalia

How can a modern, efficient and citizen-focused justice system be established? This question was at the heart of a visit lasting several days by high-ranking representatives of the Mongolian judiciary to North Rhine-Westphalia. The trip took place as part of the EU twinning project “Effective Implementation of Justice Reforms in Mongolia”. This first twinning project in Mongolia makes an important contribution to the sustainable establishment of judicial reform in the country and continues the close and successful cooperation between Germany and Mongolia in the field of legal and judicial reforms, which has existed for decades.

Members of the Mongolian Judicial Council, the National Disciplinary Commission and presidents of central courts from Ulaanbaatar gained insights into the German court system, the acceleration of proceedings, staff development and the youth justice system. Together with Minister of Justice Dr Benjamin Limbach and our Managing Director Dr Stefan Hülshörster, they discussed how reforms can be sustainably embedded in practice.

President Gudrun Schäpers of the Hamm Higher Regional Court provided an insight into the day-to-day work of judges, with a focus on personnel management and the development of judges.

At Essen Local Court, the focus shifted from theory to practice. Vice-President Axel Magnus and Head of Administration Katja Bruchsteiner provided insights into the day-to-day running of a large court. Particularly impressive was the House of Juvenile Justice, where the police, the public prosecutor’s office and youth welfare services work closely together.

The accelerated dunning procedure in the Central Dunning Department of Hagen Local Court also met with great interest. In Mongolia, it is currently being examined whether a similar instrument for speeding up proceedings can be introduced.

Visits to the NRW Judicial Academy in Recklinghausen and the Judicial Training Centre in Essen to discuss issues relating to the training and further education of judges and non-judicial staff rounded off the study trip.

We will, of course, keep you updated on further activities of the project (running until the end of 2026) – led by our outstanding long-term consultant Christoph Kopecky, whom we would like to thank for his excellent work.