Now playing Next Poland Poland's judicial appointments process against EU law, rules ECJ The EU's top court has ruled that the Polish government's ability to send judges to higher courts and remove them casts doubts over judicial independence. 16/11/2021
Now playing Next Poland European court urges Poland to address lack of judicial independence The court called on Warsaw to take "rapid action" to resolve the lack of independence in its National Council. 08/11/2021
Now playing Next Europe News What powers does EU have to bring Poland into line over legal dispute? The extraordinary ruling from the Polish Constitutional Court poses an unprecedented challenge to the European Commission. 08/10/2021
Now playing Next Europe News EU wants daily fines for Poland over its contentious judiciary reforms The European Commission has asked for daily penalties to be imposed on Poland until the country agrees to change its controversial disciplinary chamber of judges. 07/09/2021
Now playing Next Poland 'Polexit' fears amid row over whether EU or Polish law reigns supreme Forget Brexit, some think we've moved a step closer to 'Polexit'. 13/07/2021
Now playing Next Poland Poland's disciplinary regime for judges 'contrary to EU law' "The mere possibility that disciplinary proceedings or measures could be taken against judges on account of the content of their judicial decisions undoubtedly creates a 'chilling effect' not only on those judges but also on other judges in the future." 06/05/2021
Now playing Next Poland New chambers of Poland Supreme Court may violate EU law: CJEU opinion Evgeni Tanchev's opinion came out on the same day when Poland ruled that the country's human rights ombudsman - a critic of the government - must leave office at the end of his term. 15/04/2021
Now playing Next Poland EU must take 'urgent steps over Poland's human rights violations' CIVICUS, which track civic freedoms, put Poland on its human rights watchlist over the government's alleged attacks on judicial independence, women's rights, media independence and LGBTIQ+ people. 18/02/2021
Now playing Next Poland Polish court to determine fate of 'independent' human rights ombudsman Since the populist party, Law and Justice, won power in 2015, it has taken control of almost all state institutions, except the Human Rights Commissioner's office but that could soon change. 20/10/2020
Now playing Next Romania Romania: Judicial reforms 'contrary to EU law' — ECJ legal advice This case concerns the Bucharest government's appointment of an interim Chief Judicial Inspector and the creation of a prosecution department with exclusive oversight of judges' offences. 23/09/2020
Now playing Next Netherlands Dutch court stops extraditions to Poland over rule of law concerns The Dutch court fears that recent changes to Polish law allowing for more disciplinary actions against judges mean "they can no longer be independent of the Polish government". 04/09/2020
