Digital Justice Center

On March 30–31, 2026, Katarzyna Goclik, PhD Candidate at Digital Justice Center, had the pleasure of participating in the Fifth Annual Doctoral Seminar of The Siracusa International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights 📖⚖️🇮🇹

Katarzyna presented a working paper in which she examined how Poland regulates the principle of universal jurisdiction and identified the legal and practical obstacles that limit its effectiveness in prosecuting core international crimes. Its main thesis argues that the current legal framework is insufficient and requires comprehensive reform to function effectively in practice.
The paper highlights the need for legislative changes, the introduction of in absentia proceedings, and the development of specialized institutional units and evidentiary standards, especially regarding digital evidence. It concludes that only through combined legal and institutional reforms can Poland meet its international obligations and ensure accountability for serious international crimes.

Thanks to the organizers for the excellent preparation of the event and to all participants for the inspiring exchange of ideas, constructive feedback, and truly fruitful discussions.

On April 9–10 2026, our PhD candidates Katarzyna Goclik, Kalina Romanowska and Kamil Sobański took part in the XIV AIDP Symposium for Young Penalists in Utrecht, where they presented the results of their research.

Under the main theme “Criminal Law in the Age of Transitions. Between Sacred Cows and Core Values of Criminal Justice Systems”:
- Kalina Romanowska spoke in the panel “Digital investigations and evidence in criminal procedures” with her presentation “Decrypting Databases, Balancing Rights: Encrypted Digital Evidence in SkyECC Proceedings.” Kalina’s participation in the symposium was made possible thanks to funding from the Minigrant programme under the Excellence Initiative – Research University (IDUB) conducted at the University of Wroclaw.
- Katarzyna Goclik and Kamil Sobański contributed to the panel “International criminal law in the age of transitions.' Katarzyna presented “Transforming Universal Jurisdiction: How Digital and Biometric Evidence Shapes International Justice,” and Kamil presented “Is There a Conflict Between Efficiency and Fairness? Remote Testimony of a Witness and the Rights of the Accused at the International Criminal Court.” Kamil shared preliminary results of his PhD project funded by Centrum Nauki (2022/47/O/HS5/01229), see more: https://digitaljustice.uwr.edu.pl/en/projects/virtual-justice-remote-proceedings-before-the-international-criminal-court-threat-or-opportunity-2023-2027/.

The event was organized by the International Association of Penal Law (AIDP), the AIDP Young Penalists Committee (YPC) and YOUNGIS - Young Dutch Penalists Group. The Scientific Committee of the Symposium included Isabelle Gibson, Dawid Marko, Gaetano Ancona, Alice Giannini, Roos Klomberg and Domenico Rosani.

We congratulate the organizers on this enriching event and thank them for the invitation.