Composition of the Court
Election of judges
The judges are elected by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from lists of three candidates proposed by each State. They are elected for a non-renewable term of nine years.
Although judges are elected in respect of a State, they hear cases as individuals and do not represent that State. They are totally independent and cannot engage in any activity that would be incompatible with their duty of independence and impartiality.
Read more about the Committee on the Election of Judges to the European Court of Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
Judges of the Court
In order of precedence as at 28/04/2025
Judicial ethics
The European Court is committed to ensuring that the ethical standards its judges are held to are both visible and robust.
The Resolution on Judicial Ethics of the Court (updated in 2021 and 2024) applies to serving members of the Court as well as, where relevant, to former and ad hoc judges. It sets down a series of principles that judges are expected to observe. Under this Resolution the President has a central role in providing advice on judicial ethics.
The Resolution also deals with specific situations, such as additional activities and the acceptance of decorations and honours. Within that framework an Ethics Council advises the President of the Court on matters of judicial ethics.
The intention is to bring more transparency to the obligations inherent in judicial office, as set forth in Article 21 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Rules of Court, and to enhance public confidence in the Court.
Recusal of judges
In January 2024 the Court has published a new version of the Rules of Court, which incorporates some changes to Rule 28 on the recusal of judges. The latter were adopted by the plenary Court on 15 December 2023 and entered into force on 22 January 2024.
Rule 28 ensures the rigorous implementation of the principle of judicial impartiality, which is crucial for upholding the rule of law, protecting human rights, and ensuring the good administration of justice. The updated Rule reiterates the reasons for which a judge cannot sit in a particular case and strengthens the core procedural framework for the recusal of judges by expressly codifying the existing practice according to which the parties to the proceedings may request recusal of a judge.
The updated rule is accompanied by a Practice Direction issued by the President of the Court on 22 January 2024.
Judges of the Court since 1959
This list includes all judges of the Court since 1959, by countries, including the judges currently appointed.