CCJE(2017)9

Strasbourg, 10 November 2017

CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN JUDGES (CCJE)

During the plenary meeting of the Consultative Council of European Judges (CCJE), held in Strasbourg on 8-10 November 2017, in view of the critical situation affecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in Poland, the CCJE takes note of:

·         the Opinion of the CCJE Bureau of 7 April 2017 on the draft legislation on the Polish National Council of the Judiciary (CCJE-BU(2017)5Rev);

·         the Statement of the Bureau of the CCJE of 17 July 2017 on the Polish Parliament's recent adoption of two Acts on the Polish judiciary and on the draft Act on the Polish Supreme Court (CCJE-BU (2017)6); and

·         the Opinion of the CCJE Bureau of 12 October 2017 on the draft legislation on the Polish National Council of the Judiciary presented by the President of Poland (CCJE-BU(2017)9Rev);    

confirms that these documents reflect the position of the CCJE;

regrets that so far the recommendations in these documents have not been followed;

hopes and expects that the European standards will be restored in the legislation regarding the judiciary as soon as possible; and that these standards will be ensured in future legislation;

and offers the ongoing assistance of the CCJE in this field.