Status of the external evaluation of judges at the end of 2025

At the end of 2025, the Judicial Vetting Commission presents an overview of its activities related to the integrity verification of certain categories of judges and candidates for positions within the judiciary.

Overall results for 2025

The Commission conducted 50 evaluations and approved 50 reports, of which 32 contained proposals for promotion and 18 contained proposals for non-promotion. In addition, the Commission adopted a decision of non-promotion with regard to one candidate for a position within the judicial self-governance bodies.

Throughout the year, eight rounds of hearings were organized, held either by three-member panels or in plenary sessions of the Commission, allowing the subjects to clarify identified integrity concerns. Hearings were conducted, on average, once every month and a half.

The evaluation of all sitting judges of the three Courts of Appeal, as well as of all candidates submitted by the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) for vacant positions in these courts, has been completed. In parallel, the verification process concerning judges who have held managerial positions over the past five years is in its final stage. To date, the Commission has not received candidates for these positions for evaluation.

Courts of Appeal

* Central Court of Appeal: The evaluation process initiated in 2024 was completed, covering 18 sitting judges and 7 re-evaluations ordered by the SCM, most of which upheld the Commission’s initial conclusions. One re-evaluation is currently under examination.

* Courts of Appeal North and South: Of the 23 judges notified in 2025, 8 completed the full evaluation process, while the others resigned. All evaluations were finalized, and the Commission’s conclusions were confirmed by the SCM: 5 proposals for promotion and 3 proposals for non-promotion.

* Courts of Appeal candidates: All 13 candidates submitted by the SCM were notified and fully evaluated. Of the 9 finalized evaluations, 8 resulted in proposals for promotion and 1 in a proposal for non-promotion. The results do not include 3 withdrawals from the competition and one evaluation conducted under Law No. 65/2023. All reports were examined by the SCM, and in two cases (one promotion and one non-promotion) re-evaluation was ordered, which is currently ongoing.

Judges in managerial positions

In 2025, the Commission notified all judges who held managerial positions during the past five years. Of the 24 presidents and vice-presidents, 14 remained in the evaluation process. Most reports have been issued; three are under preparation, and two evaluations are ongoing, with hearings scheduled for early 2026.

Supreme Court of Justice and other evaluations

At the Supreme Court of Justice, five candidates received proposals for promotion, while five withdrew from the competition, including after receiving invitations to hearings. Regarding vacant positions within the SCM boards, two candidates withdrew, and one candidate received a decision of non-promotion.

Institutional developments

In July 2025, the Commission’s composition was expanded to nine members through the appointment of Gerrit-Marc Sprenger, Marcel van de Wetering, and Iulian Rusu by Parliament. Following the withdrawal of Scott Bales in connection with his retirement, Andrei Bivol was elected Chair of the Commission, and Marcel van de Wetering Vice-Chair. The expanded composition enabled the establishment of three additional evaluation panels, significantly increasing the Commission’s operational capacity.

Outlook for 2026

The Commission anticipates completing all ongoing evaluations and re-evaluations and remains prepared to receive new subjects for assessment. Although the number of candidates to be submitted in 2026 cannot be anticipated, the Commission stands ready to ensure the continuity of the external evaluation process in accordance with the applicable legal framework.