The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the post of UK judge to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).
Expressions of interest*: 19 February 2024
Launch date: 27 February 2024
Closing date: 9 April 2024
The ECtHR is an international court set up in 1959 and based in Strasbourg, France. It rules on individual or State applications alleging violations of the civil and political rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Its judgments are binding on the countries concerned in an application. It is comprised of 46 judges, each elected in respect of the State Parties to the ECtHR. Judges sit for a nine-year, non-renewable term, and sit as independent judges; they do not represent the country in respect of which they have been elected.
Applicants to the role of UK judge to the ECtHR must:
- Be of high moral character and either possess the qualifications required for appointment to high judicial office or be jurisconsults of recognised competence. The latter category may include legal practitioners, senior academic lawyers, legal advisers or other government officials with relevant experience;
- Have experience in criminal or civil fields, with demonstrable knowledge of the UK’s national legal systems, public international law, public law, Strasbourg law and human rights;
- Have at least a passive knowledge of French (including reading, writing and listening), or a commitment to acquire such knowledge in due course.
For further details, please refer to the candidate information pack which can be found here.
For queries about the process please contact Lisa Grant at ecthr24@judicialappointments.gov.uk.
If you have any queries about the role, please contact the vacancy holder via: patricia.zimmermann@justice.gov.uk.
On Friday 15 March the Ministry of Justice will be hosting a webinar with the UK’s Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, and the UK Judge at the European Court of Human Rights – Sandy Moss ‘In Conversation With’ Tim Eicke. If you would be interested in attending please use the following sign up link to register for a place.
*Submitting an expression of interest is not essential for applying but ensures candidates receive all relevant correspondence and documents.
Useful documents:
Image credit: Council of Europe