Justice of the Supreme Administrative Court, Doctor of Laws Niilo Jääskinen nominated as candidate for Judge at the European Court of Justice

In its plenary session of today, Thursday 13 September 2018, the Government nominated Niilo Jääskinen (Doctor of Laws, Trained on the bench) as Finland’s candidate for Judge at the European Court of Justice for a two-year term of office beginning on 7 October 2019.

Currently, Jääskinen serves as Justice of the Supreme Administrative Court. In 2009–2015, he served as Advocate General at the European Court of Justice. The two-year term of office corresponds to the remainder of the six-year term of Allan Rosas, the current Finnish Judge at the Court of Justice. Rosas’ term of office started on 7 October 2015, and he has announced that he will leave his post on 7 October 2019. 

Along with the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission, the Court of Justice is one of the key institutions of the European Union. As the highest court of the European Union, the Court of Justice ensures that the EU treaties and EU legislation are interpreted and applied in accordance with law. 

The Court of Justice is composed of 28 Judges, one from each Member State. The Judges are appointed for a term of office of six years, which is renewable. Once Finland has nominated its candidate, the Judge will be appointed by common accord of the governments of the Member States after consultation of a panel responsible for giving an opinion on the candidates' suitability to perform their duties concerned.

Inquiries: Johannes Leppo, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Legislative Affairs, tel.  +358 295 160 335, Prime Minister’s Office