Thanks for the perfect tour. It was excellent that Judge Biltgen took the time to share some insights with us. I also enjoyed talking with colleagues from other countries not only about data privacy law, but also about different Irish dialects, why Czechs and Slowaks are not one and the same, stereotypes about Jamaica that are completely wrong, and much more.

Our private briefing was in the elegant room where the Court of Justice of the European Union sits and listens to the evidence before taking decisions. We learned from Judge François Biltgen, President of the Chamber: 1. The EU is based on the rule of law and fundamental rights 2. the court operates in 24 languages 2. it hears around 750 cases per year of which around 200 are appeals 3. The court employs some 2,200 people, of which nearly 1,000 people are translators 4. None of the 27 judges speaks only one language 5. Decisions are written in French but are translated into other languages where necessary. 6. Judges have no right to publish a dissenting Opinion 7. A judge's term of office is six years and the EU Member States may not withdraw them during this term. 8. It is possible to go back to review old cases only on grounds of interpretation. 9. The fundamental idea underlying the EU is to settle disputes in a peaceful way. 10. Judge Biltgen referred to a dispute about an open coal mine located on the border between the Czech Republic and Poland. He concluded "Law can prevent conflict."

This visit was a really precious opportunity to have access to insights of the ECJ activity, including "behind the scenes" stories.