Brussels, 23/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - The EU's European Affairs Ministers backed a proposal on Tuesday 23 June on reform of the European General Court (EGC).
The reform recommended by the member states would gradually increase the number of judges at the General Court (currently restricted to one judge per member state). In 2015, 12 extra judges will be appointed and in 2016, the seven judges at the Civil Service Tribunal will be transferred to the EGC (the two courts would merge). In 2019, nine more new judges will join the EGC team. This gradual increase will give the EGC chambers of five judges rather than the three as at present.
These reforms would cost the taxpayer €13.5 million per year, but this compares favourably with the €26.8 million claimed in several actions for damages due to delays in judgment. Due to the rise in new cases at the EGC, there were an unprecedented 1,393 pending cases at the end of March 2015, explains a Council of Ministers' press release. The average time it takes for the EGC to issue a ruling is from four to five years for economically sensitive cases.
The Council of Ministers' negotiating position will not be submitted to the European Parliament for second reading under the codecision procedure. (Mathieu Bion)