The authorities argued that, given the necessity for high quality activity in the justice field, including professional recruitment and forming standards, the Government emergency Ordinance no. 100/2007 amending the Law 303/2004 on magistrates’ statute had to be adopted.
The amendment comes into force once its published in the country’s Official Gazette.
Prior to this amendment, former magistrates and prosecutors, as well as acting lawyers were allowed to become magistrates based on a simple interview.
The European Commission criticized in its February report on Romania’s progresses regarding cooperation and verification measures the manner in which Romanian magistrates were selected, saying the magistrates are appointed without prior verification of their professional capacity or training.