Court of Justice of the European Union: eleven members appointed

Source: Council of the European Union (Council) i, published on Friday, February 1 2019.

On 30 January 2019, the representatives of the governments of the member states appointed ten judges and an advocate-general to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Two judges and an advocate general were appointed to the Court of Justice. In addition, eight judges have been appointed to the General Court.

Appointments to the Court of Justice

As part of the 2018 partial renewal of the composition of the Court of Justice, which saw the term of office of 14 judges and five advocates-general expire on 6 October 2018, Mr Christopher Vajda (United Kingdom) was reappointed as judge. Mr Priit Pikamäe (Estonia) was newly appointed as advocate-general.

The term of office of Mr Pikamaë runs from the date of entry of force of today's decision until 6 October 2024. In the case of Mr Vajda, his term of office will run until 6 October 2024, or until the date of withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union , if that date comes first.

In addition, Mr Allan Rosas (Finland) resigned as judge of the Court of Justice as of 7 October 2019. In his place, member states' governments appointed Mr Niilo Jääskinen (Finland) for the remainder of the term of office ending on 6 October 2021.

Appointments to the General Court

The partial renewal of the composition of the General Court, which takes place every three years, will see the terms of office of 23 judges expire on 31 August 2019.

In this context, six judges were reappointed for a term of office of six years starting from 1 September 2019:

  • Ms Mariyana Kancheva (Bulgaria)
  • Mr Alexander Kornezov (Bulgaria)
  • Mr Stéphane Gervasoni (France)
  • Ms Inga Reine (Latvia)
  • Mr Ulf Öberg (Sweden)
  • Mr Fredrik Schalin (Sweden)

As part of the third stage of the reform of the General Court, Mr Laurent Truchot (France) and Ms Mirela Stancu (Romania) were also appointed as judges from 1 September 2019.

The term of office of Mr Truchot will end on 31 August 2025, whereas the term for Ms Stancu will end on 31 August 2022.

The mandate of Ms Stancu is shorter than that of the other judges, as she is amongst the judges who have been or will be appointed for three years in order to bring them in line with the end of term of the other judge of the same Member State. Judges may be reappointed.

Next appointments

Several further appointments to the Court of Justice and the General Court are expected in the course of this year.

One judge (from Austria) still needs to be appointed to complete the 2018 partial renewal of the composition of the Court of Justice. As regards the General Court, 17 judges are due to be appointed to complete its 2019 partial renewal. Seven judges also have to be appointed to complete the third phase of the reform of the court.

Background

The Court of Justice of the European Union consists of two courts: the Court of Justice and the General Court.

The Court of Justice is composed of one judge from each member state and eleven advocates-general. The General Court will be made up of two judges from each member state after the third phase of its reform is completed.

The judges and advocates-general are appointed by common accord of the governments of the member states after consultation of a panel responsible for giving an opinion on prospective candidates' suitability to perform the duties concerned. They are chosen from among individuals whose independence is beyond doubt and who possess the qualifications required for appointment, in their respective countries, to the highest judicial offices, or who are of recognised competence.