European Commission launches action over Polish court changes

The European Commission has launched legal action against Poland's government over a new law it fears will undermine the independence of the country's common courts.


The Commission is concerned about discretionary power given to Poland's minister for justice to prolong the mandates of judges who reach retirement age, as well as to dismiss and appoint court presidents.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the European Commission said: "The new rules allow the minister of justice to exert influence on individual ordinary judges through, in particular, the vague criteria for the prolongation of their mandates thereby undermining the principle of irremovability of judges."

It said a key concern was the introduction of different retirement ages for men and women judges.
 [rte.ie]
29/7/17