The importance of hearings in the integrity evaluation of judges

The public hearing is a crucial stage in the process of assessing judges' integrity, in accordance with the Rules of organization and functioning of the Judicial Vetting Commission and the legislation on extraordinary external evaluation. This process provides subjects with the opportunity to clarify any integrity concerns identified by the Commission during the verification process and to actively participate in their own evaluation.

✅Right to a hearing
Participation in a hearing is a right granted to the subject, allowing them to present their personal perspective on evaluation-related aspects and clarify any inconsistencies in their file. However, the refusal to participate is also a right. In such cases, the Commission will make its decision solely based on the information collected during the evaluation process.

📢Advance notification
The Commission informs subjects in advance about the hearing date and theintegrity matters to be discussed. They are also granted access to theirevaluation file and relevant materials to adequately prepare.

📌Rules for conducting hearings
🔹 During thehearing, the subject may present information, documents, or other materialsonly if they were unable to submit them earlier due to justified reasons.
🔹 The hearingbegins with an opening statement by the President of the Commission or thePresident of the evaluation panel, in the case of subjects regulated under Law252/2023. The subject is then asked to confirm the accuracy and truthfulness ofthe information provided during the evaluation.
🔹 Commission membersask questions to clarify any integrity concerns. At the end of the hearing, thesubject may make a brief final statement.
🔹 The Commissiondeliberates on the hearing's outcome in a closed session, without the subject’spresence.

📌Public nature of hearings
As stipulated by law, hearings are generally conducted in public sessions. However, depending on the specifics of each case, they may continue in additional sessions or, if necessary, in a closed session at the subject’s request and with the Commission’s approval. The recordings of hearings and the portions that have not been declared confidential are published on the web site of the Judicial Evaluation Commission and its YouTube channel Comisia de Evaluare a Judecătorilor - YouTube

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