The Court of Justice of the European Union has ordered Poland to halt contested supreme court appointments, citing a risk of serious and irreparable damage to the judiciary ahead of a final ruling. PiS officials insist their court reform laws are a legal and overdue push to overhaul inefficient, crony-filled court structures. The EU Court of Justice noted such presidential decisions were not bound by any criteria or subject to judicial review. In recent months some 27 new bench positions have been filled and 44 vacancies advertised, which the EU court said brought a “profound and immediate change” to the supreme court. Earlier this week Poland’s justice minister questioned whether the Polish judges were entitled to consult the Luxembourg-based EU court on judicial reform.

Source: The Irish Times October 19, 2018 17:15 UTC