Lead researcher Prof. Ehud Guttel from the Faculty of Law
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem will lead a €3.5 million international research consortium funded under the European Union’s prestigious Horizon Europe program. Headed by Prof. Ehud Guttel of the Faculty of Law, the project, “Incognito Justice,” brings together nine academic and civil society partners from across Europe under the EU’s “Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society” cluster. The award reflects the continued strength of international academic collaboration and a shared commitment to advancing innovative, interdisciplinary research.
Horizon Europe is the EU's flagship framework for research and innovation, supporting partnerships that address major global, technological, and societal challenges. Coordinated by the Hebrew University, the "Incognito Justice" project examines anonymous judgments, decisions where the plaintiff’s name is omitted to protect privacy in the digital age. While court proceedings have traditionally been guided by principles of open justice, the growing online availability of judgments has contributed to a global shift toward anonymized proceedings.
The project’s research shows that this development is not merely a technical reform, but a profound transformation affecting the legal system in ways that have not been fully anticipated. From the content of judgments and citation practices to media coverage and the perceived legitimacy of judicial decisions, the project combines doctrinal analysis with empirical methods and computational tools to offer a comprehensive account of how this shift reshapes core assumptions about privacy, transparency, and public trust.
Prof. Oron Shagrir, Rector of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said: “Prof. Ehud Guttel’s achievement is a source of great pride for the Hebrew University. Securing leadership of a highly competitive Horizon Europe consortium reflects both the excellence of our researchers and the university’s deep commitment to international collaboration and impactful research. We are especially excited to work together with our partners across Europe in advancing this important research initiative. At a time when international academic cooperation is more important than ever, partnerships such as this demonstrate the value of open scholarly exchange and collaborative research across borders. We congratulate Prof. Guttel and his partners on this significant accomplishment.”
"Securing leadership of a highly competitive Horizon Europe consortium reflects both the excellence of our researchers and the university’s deep commitment to international collaboration and impactful research. "- Professor Oron Shagrir, Rector of HUJI
By bringing together researchers and civil society organizations from across Europe, the project underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing shared societal challenges.
For a century, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has been a beacon for visionary minds who challenge convention and shape the future. Founded by luminaries like Albert Einstein, who entrusted his intellectual legacy to the university, it is dedicated to advancing knowledge, cultivating leadership, and promoting diversity. Home to over 23,000 students from 90 countries, the Hebrew University drives much of Israel’s civilian scientific research and the commercialization of technologies through Yissum, its tech transfer company. Hebrew University’s groundbreaking contributions have been recognized with major international awards, including ten Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards, and a Fields Medal. Ranked 88th globally by the Shanghai Ranking (2025), Hebrew University marks a century of excellence in research, education, and innovation. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en.