# Judicial Council of Lithuania

The Judicial Council of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Teisėjų Taryba) is the executive body of self-government of the judiciary, which ensures the independence of the courts and judges. It consists of 17 judges. The Council's term of office is four years, and judges may be elected for a maximum of two consecutive terms.

## Composition

The Judicial Council of Lithuania is composed of the following members:
* Ex officio members:
** The President of the Supreme Court
** The President of Court of Appeal of Lithuania
** The President of the Supreme Administrative Court
* Judges elected by the General Meeting of Judges:
** Three judges from the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Administrative Court.
** One judge from each regional court.
** One judge from all regional administrative courts.
** One judge from all district courts within the jurisdiction of each regional court. The candidates are nominated and elected during the General Meeting of Judges by representatives from the relevant courts.

## Competence

* Elect the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and Secretary of the Judicial Council by secret ballot.
* Approve the Judicial Council's Rules of Procedure.
* Provide informed advice to the President of the Republic regarding the appointment, promotion, transfer, or removal of judges.
* Offer informed advice to the President of the Republic on the appointment and dismissal of Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen, and divisional Chairmen of courts.
* Provide informed advice to the President of the Republic on determining or changing the number of judges in courts.
* Establish the examination commission for candidates to judicial office and approve its regulations and examination program.
* Approve the procedures for adding candidates to the district court judicial vacancy list and the register for judicial promotion candidates.
* Establish both permanent and ad hoc commissions, and approve their regulations.
* Elect and appoint the members of the Judicial Ethics and Discipline Commission by secret ballot, elect the Chairman of the Commission from its members, and remove them as outlined by the law; approve the Commission’s regulations.
* Appoint members of the Judicial Court of Honour by secret ballot and remove them according to the law.
* Approve the regulations of the Judicial Court of Honour.
* Review reports from the Judicial Ethics and Discipline Commission and the Judicial Court of Honour regarding their activities.
* Have the right to propose the initiation of disciplinary actions against a judge.
* Approve the description and regulations for the assessment of judges' performance, review complaints regarding the results of these assessments.
* Form the Permanent Commission for the Assessment of Judges’ Activities.
* Establish the procedure and criteria for determining judges' specialization, and approve the regulations for case distribution and chamber formation for judges.
* Approve the court administration regulations and address other related administrative matters.
* Approve the regulations for organizing judge training, including programs and annual professional development plans, as well as qualification requirements for trainers.
* Approve model structures, position lists, and job descriptions for district, regional, and regional administrative courts.
* Review and approve proposals for court investment programs and court budgets, and submit them to the Government.
* Review reports from the National Courts Administration regarding its activities.
* Publish an annual review of court activities by March 31 each year on the National Courts Administration’s website.
* Convene regular and, when necessary, extraordinary General Meetings of Judges.
* Cooperate with other Lithuanian institutions and organizations on matters related to judicial autonomy, administration, and other court-related issues.
* Collaborate with foreign institutions and international organizations on matters related to judicial autonomy, administration, and other relevant issues.
* Have the right to request information from state institutions necessary for carrying out the Judicial Council’s functions.
* Resolve other issues related to court operations and relevant legislation.