The selection and election of a new UK judge to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg

The UK’s current judge on the ECtHR, Paul Mahoney, will reach 70 in September – the compulsory age for retiring from the Court – and his term of office will end on 6 September 2016. On 7 June, the House of Commons Library issued Briefing Paper No. 7589 on the processes involved in the UK and in Europe in selecting a successor.  The appointment process has two parts, the final decision being made by parliamentarians of the Council of Europe following interviews of candidates recommended by the Member State. The UK’s three candidates are due to be interviewed by the Committee on the Election of Judges in Strasbourg on 19 June 2016, with the final plenary vote expected later that week. Continue reading →