On 2 August 2018, the Supreme Court has referred questions to the European Court of Justice about whether the forced retirement of most of its senior judges and other infringements of judicial independence are compatible with EU law. That decision is a landmark step in the serious constitutional crisis in Poland that has been going on for several years. The Supreme Court attempts to defend itself against its subordination to the legislative and executive authorities, requesting that the CJEU express its view on the EU standards of irremovability of judges as an element of the independence of the judiciary. The article analyses the reference for a preliminary ruling from the perspective of EU law, especially the latest judgments of the CJEU concerning the rule of law and effective legal protection. Among many problems arising in connection with the discussed matter is the admissibility of the preliminary reference and the application of the interim measures by the Supreme Court. The article also examines the motion of the Prosecutor General to the Constitutional Court concerning the validity of art. 267 TFEU and the right to apply the interim measures suspending the statute on the Supreme Court.

Reference for a preliminary ruling by the Supreme Court regarding the retirement age of judges – an assessment from the perspective of European Union law

On 2 August 2018, the Supreme Court has referred questions to the European Court of Justice about whether the forced retirement of most of its senior judges and other infringements of judicial independence are compatible with EU law. That decision is a landmark step in the serious constitutional crisis in Poland that has been going on for several years. The Supreme Court attempts to defend itself against its subordination to the legislative and executive authorities, requesting that the CJEU express its view on the EU standards of irremovability of judges as an element of the independence of the judiciary. The article analyses the reference for a preliminary ruling from the perspective of EU law, especially the latest judgments of the CJEU concerning the rule of law and effective legal protection. Among many problems arising in connection with the discussed matter is the admissibility of the preliminary reference and the application of the interim measures by the Supreme Court. The article also examines the motion of the Prosecutor General to the Constitutional Court concerning the validity of art. 267 TFEU and the right to apply the interim measures suspending the statute on the Supreme Court.