Evaluation completed for all candidates in the two specialized judicial boards

The Judicial Vetting Commission announces the completion of evaluation for all 25 candidates for positions in the Selection and Evaluation Board of Judges and the Disciplinary Board within the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). The evaluation process for the two SCM boards began in December 2023, when the subjects were notified of the initiation of the evaluation. The candidates included judges from various levels of courts, representatives of other legal professions, and members of civil society.

A total of 13 candidates were submitted for evaluation for membership in the Selection and Evaluation Board of Judges, while 12 were submitted for membership in the Disciplinary Board. The evaluation was conducted according to the financial integrity and ethical criteria established by Law No. 26/2022, which regulates the selection of candidates for positions in the self-governing bodies of judges and prosecutors.

Of the 13 candidates for the Selection and Evaluation Board of Judges, one withdrew, and another was withdrawn by the SCM. The pass rate among this group was 85% of the total number of submitted candidates. All candidates in this group participated in the hearings organized by the Commission.

As to the candidates for membership in the Disciplinary Board, out of 12 candidates, one withdrew and two were withdrawn by the SCM, six passed, and three failed the evaluation, resulting in a pass rate of 50% of the total number of submitted candidates. Only one candidate chose not to participate in the hearing, while all other candidates, except for those who withdrew or were withdrawn, attended the hearings.

Out of the total of 25 candidates in the SCM Boards, 13 agreed to the publication of the Vetting Commission's decisions. The decisions may be consulted HERE.

The Vetting Commission conducts three types of evaluations: vetting of the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ), pre-vetting of candidates for membership in the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM), who submitted applications after 1 September 2023, and the two Boards within the SCM, and vetting of judges of Courts of Appeal and presidents and vice-presidents of courts. These three types of evaluations are carried out based on three different laws – Law 26/2022, Law 65/2023, and Law 252/2023.