On 21 April, the representatives of the governments of the member states appointed two judges and two advocates-general to the Court of Justice.
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) interprets EU law to make sure it is applied in the same way in all EU countries, and settles legal disputes between national governments and EU institutions.
It can also, in certain circumstances, be used by individuals, companies or organisations to take action against an EU institution, if they feel it has somehow infringed their rights.
The nominations are part of the partial renewal of the composition of the Court of Justice, since the terms of office of 14 judges and 6 advocates-general will expire on 6 October 2021.
Each judge and advocate general is appointed for a renewable 6-year term, jointly by national governments. In each Court, the judges select a President who serves a renewable term of 3 years.
Mr Eugene Regan (Ireland) has been reappointed as Judge of the Court of Justice.
Mr Athanasios Rantos (Greece) has been reappointed as Advocate-General of the Court of Justice.
Mr Dimitrios Gratsias (Greece) has been appointed as Judge of the Court of Justice.
Mr Nicholas Emiliou (Cyprus) has been appointed as Advocate-General of the Court of Justice.
The two judges and two advocates-general of the Court of Justice have been appointed for a term of office starting on 7 October 2021 and expiring on 6 October 2027.
The appointing decision will enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Background
The Court of Justice of the European Union consists of two courts: the Court of Justice and the General Court.
Court of Justice – deals with requests for preliminary rulings from national courts, certain actions for annulment and appeals.
General Court – rules on actions for annulment brought by individuals, companies and, in some cases, EU governments. In practice, this means that this court deals mainly with competition law, State aid, trade, agriculture, trade marks.
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 Court of Justice, candidates must possess the qualifications required for appointment, in their respective countries, to the highest judicial offices, or be jurisconsults of recognised competence. For appointment to the General Court, they must possess the ability required for appointment to high judicial office.
Source: Council of the European Union Press Corner
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