In the IAJ Annual Meeting  held in Yalta (Ukraine), in  2013, the Honorary Presidents taking part,   Fatoumata Diakite, Jose Maria Bento Company, Maja Tratnik, Sidnei Beneti and Günter Woratsch, founded – following a proposal of Sidnei Beneti – a Council of Honorary Presidents of IAJ-UIM (CHP).

The proclaimed aim was to make available the long lasting experiences of the Honorary Presidents furthermore.

Günter Woratsch being the longest time in that position among the presents was elected as chairman of the new founded Council.

The Presidency Committee and the Central Council were informed and accepted the foundation.

CHP has already started its work. On request of the Presidency Committee, an opinion about a proposal of a Regional Group concerning an amendment of the Statut was furnished.

In the IAJ Annual Meeting,  which took place in Foz do Iguacu (Brasil), in 2014, the Honorary Presidents taking part in the meeting, Fatoumata Diakite, Jose Maria Bento Company, Sidnei Beneti, Ernst Markel, Paquerette Girard and Günter Woratsch, confirmed and substantiated the aims and goals of CHP.

Observing all what is going on, CHP is prepared to give opinions and counsels in questions touching interests of IAJ-UIM, as – for example – interpretation of Statutes and Regulations, but also and, in particular, independence of the Judiciary etc.

The CHP does not recognize itself only as counsellor of  Presidency Committee and Central Council, but it is open for all members of IAJ-UIM for questions and problems in the described field as well.

Presidency Committee and Central Council were informed about  that and accepted. It also was assured to provide during the Meetings of IAJ-UIM  special seats for CHP and – if requested – rooms for sessions.

On 20 of October, 2024, on the occasion of the IAJ annual meeting in Cape Town (South Africa),  the Central Council of the IAJ added the following two Paragraphs to Article 8 of the IAJ Constitution:
“8. At the end of his/her mandate, the President may be appointed by the Central Council Honorary President of the IAJ. The same applies to the Secretary-General.
9. The Council of Honorary Presidents of the International Association of Judges is formed, ex officio, by all the Honorary Presidents elected in accordance with section 8 of this Article. It meets during the IAJ general annual meetings. The Council may be requested to give opinions about statutory reforms and may be consulted by the IAJ Presidency Committee, about problems concerning the life of the organisation. The Council designates one of its members as their representative.”

On October 21th, 2024, the Council of Honorary Presidents of the IAJ designated Honorary President Maja Tratnik as the representative and the chairperson of the Council, establishing as well that, should Honorary President Maja Tratnik not be able to fulfil her tasks, Honorary President Christophe Régnard would replace her.

Statute of the Council of Honorary Presidents of the IAJ

CHP can be contacted via the IAJ-UIM Secretariat or in the way of the chairperson  of CHP Hon. President Maja Tratnik (e-mail: majci.mt@icloud.com).