Research and Information Service Research Paper March 2012 Fiona O’Connell & Ray McCaffrey Judicial Appointments in Germany and the United States NIAR 175-12 This paper provides information for the Committee for Justice on judicial appointments in Germany and the United States Paper 60/12 15 March 2012 Research and Information Service briefings are compiled for the benefit of MLAs and their support staff. Authors are available to discuss the contents of these papers with Members and their staff but cannot advise members of the general public. We do, however, welcome written evidence that relate to our papers and these should be sent to the Research and Information Service, Northern Ireland Assembly, Room 139, Parliament Buildings, Belfast BT4 3XX or e-mailed to
[email protected] NIAR 175-12 Judicial Appointments in Germany and the United States Key Points The models of judicial appointment in the US and Germany are subject to political involvement at various levels. These models are interlinked with other elements of the legal system and traditions of these countries. The models include Germany: o Role of Minister of Justice in appointments in the states o Electoral committees comprised of judicial members and political representatives for example in Germany (state level); o Electoral Committee at Federal level comprised of political representatives of the Federal and Lander Parliaments; o At Constitutional Court level, judges are elected by the upper and lower chamber of Parliament United States o Presidential appointment with advice and consent of the senate (Federal level) o Commission based appointments, also known as merit selection; usually involving an election at some point; o Judicial elections; o Gubernatorial appointment (appointed by the Governor); this is similar to the Federal system.