Member states’ representatives appoint a judge to the Court of Justice

The representatives of the governments of the member states today appointed a judge to the Court of Justice and two judges to the General Court.

First, Mr Niels Fenger (Denmark) has been reappointed judge to the Court of Justice for a term of office running from 7 October 2027 to 6 October 2033.

This appointment is part of the partial renewal of the composition of the Court of Justice, since the terms of office of 14 judges and six advocates-general will expire on 6 October 2027.  

Second, the appointments to the General Court are part of the partial renewal of its composition, since the terms of office of 26 judges expired on 31 August 2025.

In this context, Ms Andria Buhagiar (Malta) and Mr Ivan Stoynev (Bulgaria) have been appointed judges to the General Court for a first term of office.

These appointments are for a term of office ending on 31 August 2031.

The two decisions will enter into force on the date of their 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.

The judges of the Court of Justice and of the General Court 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, candidates must possess the ability required for appointment to high judicial office.