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The Judicial Administration Frontpage
The Judicial Administration Frontpage

The Judicial Administration

Judicial Committee on the Competence of Applicants for the Office of Judge

The Judicial Committee on the Competence of Applicants for the Office of Judge is responsible for examining the competence of applicants for the office of the Chief Justice, the National and District Judge, as well as the Office of the Court of Restitution.

Appointment of a judge

A judge may not be appointed by a person who has not been considered by a jury as the most qualified among the applicants.

There is an exception if the Althingi approves the Minister’s proposal for authorization to appoint another nominee who satisfies all the criteria for appointment to the post.

Profile of the applicants

The Judicial Committee shall provide the Minister with a written and reasoned opinion on candidates for the post of judge, wherein a decision shall be taken on which candidate is most qualified to receive the post.

Committee composition

The committee is chaired by a minister and consists of five members of the cabinet and equal number of alternates.

The Supreme Court appoints the chairman of the committee. Another member is appointed by the National Court. The court district appoints a third member who shall not be an acting judge. The Icelandic Bar Association appoints the fourth member and finally the fifth member is elected by the Althingi.

Appointment period

The term of office of the committee is five years, although each year the term of office of one member expires.

The jury of the ships:

  • Supreme Court Judge Ása Ólafsdóttir is the chair of the committees, appointed by the Supreme Court.

  • Kristín Benediktsdóttir, Dean, nominated by the National Court.

  • Helga Melkorka Óttarsdóttir, nominated by the Althingi parliament.

  • Þorgeir Örlygsson, former Supreme Court judge, nominated by the Court of Justice.

  • Reimar Snæfells Pétursson, lawyer, nominated by the Icelandic Bar Association.

Replacements:

  • Supreme Court Justice Sigurður Tómas Magnússon.

  • Jóhannes Sigurðsson, national court judge.

  • Sigríður Þorgeirsdóttir, consultant/legal.

  • Former District Judge Ragnheiður Thorlacius.

  • Hjördís Halldórsdóttir, lawyer.

Read more

  • The jury on the competence of applicants for the judges' office operates on the basis of Chapter III.