The first NADAL Award ceremony took place in Brussels on 8 May 2026 during the General Meeting of the NADAL Network. The Award was presented to Mr Jean-Louis Nadal, Honorary Prosecutor General at the French Court of Cassation and founding President of the Network.
Created by decision of the General Meeting in 2025, the NADAL Award honours individuals or teams having made an exceptional contribution to judicial cooperation, the Rule of Law and the development of the Network. The 2026 ceremony therefore carried particular symbolic significance, as the first award was presented to the person whose name the Network itself bears.
In her tribute, Ms Ria Mortier recalled Jean-Louis Nadal’s decisive role in creating the Network in 2008 and in establishing a permanent European forum for dialogue and cooperation between Prosecutors General and supreme prosecution authorities. She also highlighted his longstanding commitment to judicial independence, European judicial cooperation and the defence of the Rule of Law.
Upon receiving the Award, Mr Nadal delivered an address in which he stressed that the defence of the Rule of Law requires constant vigilance, solidarity and courage among prosecutors and judges throughout Europe. Referring to several discussions held during the Conference, he warned against growing pressures affecting judicial institutions and called for unity among magistrates in defending democratic values and judicial independence.
The ceremony formed part of the 17th Annual Conference of the NADAL Network devoted this year to the theme “The Rule of Law under Pressure”.
