Brussels, 26 March 2025
The representatives of the governments of the member states today appointed thirteen judges to the General Court. The appointments are part of the partial renewal of the composition of the General Court, since the terms of office of 26 judges will expire on 31 August 2025.
Mr Francesco Bestagno (Italy) and Ms Tanja Pavelin (Croatia) have been appointed judges to the General Court for a first term of office.
The terms of office of Mr Hervé Cassagnabère (France), Mr Saulius Lukas Kalėda (Lithuania), Mr Ulf Öberg (Sweden), Ms Tamara Perišin (Croatia), Mr David Petrlík (Czechia), Ms Inga Reine (Latvia), Ms Petra Škvařilová-Pelzl (Czechia), Mr Laurent Truchot (France) and Mr Pēteris Zilgalvis (Latvia) have been renewed.
These appointments are for a term of office running from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2031.
Moreover, Ms Danute Jočienė (Lithuania) has been appointed judge to the General Court as a replacement for Mr Rimvydas Norkus, who was appointed as Advocate-General to the Court of Justice, for the remainder of his term of office, which runs until 31 August 2025.
Finally, Mr Jörgen Hettne (Sweden) has been appointed judge to the General Court as a replacement for Mr Fredrik Schalin, who was appointed judge to the Court of Justice for the remainder of his term of office, which runs until 31 August 2025.
The decision will enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Background
The judges 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 General Court, candidates must possess the ability required for appointment to high judicial office.
Source – EU Council