The representatives of the governments of the member states today appointed 14 judges to the General Court of the European Union.

The General Court is one of the two courts constituting the Court of Justice of the European Union, together with the Court of Justice itself. It is the court of first instance for the majority of decisions taken by the Commission and other EU institutions and bodies, in all areas where the European Union holds competences.

The appointments were made as part of the partial renewal of the composition of the General Court, which will see the terms of office of 23 judges expire on 31 August 2019, and as part of the third stage of its reform, which will see nine additional judges join the General Court on 1 September 2019.

The following judges were re-appointed to the General Court for the period from 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2025:

Mr Eugène Buttigieg (Malta)

(Malta) Mr Anthony Collins (Ireland)

(Ireland) Ms Ramona Frendo (Malta)

(Malta) Mr Colm Mac Eochaidh (Ireland)

(Ireland) Mr Jan Passer (Czech Republic)

(Czech Republic) Ms Vesna Tomljenović (Croatia)

Seven judges were newly appointed to the General Court for the same period:

Mr Johannes Laitenberger (Germany)

(Germany) Mr José Martín y Pérez de Nanclares (Spain)

(Spain) Mr Rimvydas Norkus (Lithuania, replacing Mr Bieliūnas)

(Lithuania, replacing Mr Bieliūnas) Ms Tamara Perišin (Croatia)

(Croatia) Mr Miguel Sampol Pucurull (Spain)

(Spain) Ms Petra Škvařilová-Pelzl (Czech Republic)

(Czech Republic) Ms Gabriele Steinfatt (Germany)

In addition, Mr Iko Nõmm (Estonia) was newly appointed as a judge to the General Court for the period from 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2022.

The mandate of Mr Nõmm is shorter than that of the other judges, as he is amongst the judges who have been or will be appointed for three years as part of the reform of the General Court. The aim is to bring the mandate of these judges in line with the end of the mandate of the other judge from the same member state.

Background

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. For appointment to the General Court, they must possess the ability required for appointment to high judicial office.