Naples, February 26 – President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella yesterday, February 25, officially inaugurated the 2026 academic year of the Higher School of Magistracy (SSM) at Castel Capuano in Naples. The ceremony, which began shortly after 11 AM, saw the President take his seat in the front row after greeting dignitaries, including Cardinal Domenico Battaglia. The event commenced with the Italian national anthem, performed by the San Carlo Theatre string quartet.
Judicial Independence: A Core Principle
A central theme permeating all speeches was the fundamental principle of judicial independence. Fabio Pinelli, Vice President of the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), underscored the critical link between professional training and the judiciary’s autonomy.
“The pursuit of professional training contributes to the fundamental principle of the independence of the Magistracy. The very close correlation between the training of judges, the growth of their professional knowledge, and the independent and impartial exercise of judicial function. We know well, in fact, that initial and continuous training, by ensuring the continuous updating of the skills of judges and public prosecutors, ensures, even before the quality and effectiveness of the judicial model, the independence of the magistracy. One cannot be autonomous, independent, and impartial without possessing, upstream, a prerequisite of competence,” Pinelli stated.
Francesco Paolo Sisto, Undersecretary of State, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the duty of impartiality for all members of the judiciary, both adjudicating and prosecuting. He stressed that impartiality must be demonstrated in all contexts, even those outside of official duties, to maintain public trust.
“The role of the judging magistracy, like that of the prosecuting magistracy, of those who exercise jurisdiction, has the duty to be impartial, to bear witness to impartiality in every context, even extra-functional, to prevent the behavior of an individual from jeopardizing citizens’ trust in the correct exercise of judicial activity. The wise words of the President of the Republic serve as a guide to the need for mutual respect to pass through the magistracy, that it be capable of returning in the future to those basic values that no reform, I say, no reform should ever be able to undermine. In this vein, it must be considered that continuous training is an integral part of the judicial nation; one is not a magistrate once and for all. One becomes one every day, through study and critical deepening,” Sisto elaborated.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Justice
Beyond the emphasis on independence, the ceremony also dedicated significant attention to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within the administration of justice. While specific details of AI implementation were not extensively discussed in the provided data, its inclusion as a topic signifies a forward-looking approach to modernizing judicial processes.
SSM’s Commitment to Unconditioned Training
Silvana Sciarra, President of the Higher School of Magistracy, concluded the interventions by reaffirming the competence of the SSM’s personnel at all levels. She highlighted the widespread belief that meticulous management of judicial training, free from external conditioning and political pressures, is synonymous with independence.
“The competence of those who work within it, at every level,” and “the widespread conviction that accurate management of the training of magistrates, free, I emphasize free, from conditioning and extraneous to the asperities of political confrontation, is synonymous with independence,” Sciarra asserted. She also referenced a recent and significant ruling from the Strasbourg Court on February 5, concerning a Polish case, which reiterated that the employment relationship of magistrates with the State must be interpreted to ensure all guarantees safeguarding their independence.
Historical Setting for a Forward-Looking Discussion
The event took place in the historic Salone dei Busti of Castel Capuano, a venue that provided a fitting backdrop for discussions on the evolving landscape of justice in Italy. The presence of President Mattarella underscored the national importance of the SSM’s mission in shaping the future of the judiciary.
The inauguration of the 2026 academic year marks a continued commitment to excellence and adaptation within the Italian judicial system, addressing both foundational principles and emerging technological advancements.
Source: Corriere della Sera
