Seventeen candidates have submitted documentation for the national selection process aimed at appointing two new judges to the General Court of the European Union. The application deadline concluded on April 24, according to the Justice Ministry’s press center on Monday. The pool of applicants comprises lawyers, judges, and law professors, with some having professional affiliations with the European Commission and the European Parliament, alongside legal assistants from the Court of Justice of the EU.
The complete roster of candidates is available on the Justice Ministry’s website. Minister Andrey Yankulov stated that this submission marks the initial phase of the selection procedure. A specialized committee will be established to manage the process.
This committee will feature experts in EU law and French language proficiency, nominated by national law faculties, the presidents of supreme courts, and the Supreme Bar Council. Furthermore, it will include two sitting judges and an academic specialist in EU law. Subsequent steps involve assessing the candidates’ eligibility, conducting public hearings for those who qualify, evaluating, and ranking the applicants before the committee announces its selections.
These names will subsequently be submitted to the Council of Ministers for final approval, which is scheduled to occur after the caretaker government concludes its term. The General Court, which comprises 54 judges—two from each Member State—is a key constituent court of the Court of Justice of the European Union. This court hears actions brought against European Union institutions by individuals and member states, though certain matters fall under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.
The General Court adjudicates cases where individuals, companies, or organizations challenge the acts or decisions of EU bodies, as well as actions initiated by Member States against the European Commission. It also rules on preliminary references concerning VAT, customs duties, excise duties, and passenger compensation.
Topics: #european #judges #court
It will be interesting to see which candidates are selected for the General Court.
What is the selection process for these new judges at the General Court?