Source: European Parliament
In the 2024 Rule of Law Report’s country chapter for the Netherlands[1], the Commission referred to the ongoing discussion in the Netherlands on the procedure for appointing members of the Council for the Judiciary and court management boards.
The Commission continues to follow the developments in this respect in the context of the preparation of the 2025 Rule of Law Report.
As recalled in the 2024 Rule of Law Report, procedures for the appointment and dismissal of judges and the powers and composition of Councils for the Judiciary are important in safeguarding judicial independence, based on the principles established by the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Also, European standards have been developed by the Council of Europe on how the Councils for the Judiciary should be designed to best safeguard their independence, including as regards their composition.
The preparation for the 2025 Rule of Law Report is ongoing, based on a well-established methodology[2] and on a continued dialogue with the national authorities and in consultation with relevant stakeholders.