Court of Justice of the European Union: number of judges at the General Court (amend. Protocol No 3 on the Statute)

The Commission gave its opinion on the amendments proposed by the European Parliament at second reading on the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Protocol No 3 on the Statute of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

To recall, the aim of the Court of Justice's request is to alleviate the congestion at the General Court of the European Union by increasing the number of judges. Initially, the Court requested 12 additional judges. Subsequently, in view of the worsening situation at the General Court, the Court of Justice informally suggested that the number of judges be gradually increased in three stages, to stand at 56 judges in 2019 (two judges per Member State), and that the posts of judges of the Civil Service Tribunal be integrated into the General Court. It was on this basis that the Council adopted its position at first reading.

The European Parliament adopted at second reading a consolidated text containing a number of amendments to the text of the Council's position at first reading. The text is the result of negotiations between Parliament, the Council and the Commission. The Commission accepts all the amendments adopted by Parliament.