The government has launched a selection process to fill a new post of Maltese judge at the European Court of Justice in Luxemberg.

At present, each EU member state nominates one judge to the court. But the plan is to double the number of judges in order to cater for the backlog of cases and improve the court’s efficiency.

The EU reform of the administration of the ECJ has been agreed upon by member states and is now awaiting approval of the European Parliament.

The post will come with a salary of €220,000 a year.

The government has issued a public call inviting applicants with “experience of legal practice within the national legal system” and with a “good operational level of French, Maltese and English” to express their intention of forming part of the European bench.

Applicants should have experience of legal practice within the national legal system

The process is similar to the one used by the previous administration for the selection of judges to the EU institutions.

It is quite different, however, to the way judges are appointed to the Maltese courts: by the President on the recommendation of the Cabinet.

The government is on record saying it wants to change the local selection system but no decision has yet been taken on the way forward.

Asked by when the government is expected to nominate the additional Maltese judge to the ECJ, a spokesperson said it could be as soon as the end of September if within that time the European Parliament approves the European Council’s position at first reading.

Interested applicants, who may include sitting members of the judiciary, have until July 20 to submit their application.

The local interviewing board will be chaired by former ECJ judge Ena Cremona.

The nominated applicant will then have to face a grilling by a group of ECB judges, who will issue their recommendations to the Council for the new appointments.