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.

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Judges of the Court


In order of precedence as at 01/01/2025

Slovenia
President
Norway
Vice-President
Montenegro
Vice-President
France
Section President
Georgia
Section President
Greece
Section President
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Judge
Armenia
Judge
Slovak Republic
Judge
Cyprus
Judge
United Kingdom
Judge
Azerbaijan
Judge
North Macedonia
Judge
Netherlands
Judge
Hungary
Judge
Spain
Judge
San Marino
Judge
Albania
Judge
Sweden
Judge
Italy
Judge
Türkiye
Judge
Germany
Judge
Estonia
Judge
Portugal
Judge
Switzerland
Judge
Belgium
Judge
Republic of Moldova
Judge
Czech Republic
Judge
Croatia
Judge
Ukraine
Judge
Denmark
Judge
Romania
Judge
Bulgaria
Judge
Lithuania
Judge
Luxembourg
Judge
Ireland
Judge
Liechtenstein
Judge
Latvia
Judge
Serbia
Judge
Austria
Judge
Poland
Judge
Finland
Judge
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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.

 Resolution on judicial ethics

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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.

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Judges of the Court since 1959


 This list includes all judges of the Court since 1959, by countries, including the judges currently appointed.

 List of judges of the Court since 1959

*The seat of the judge elected in respect of Andorra is currently vacant.