Are you considering a career as a judge or are you just interested in how the judicial system works in the Czech Republic? We have prepared an overview of how to become a judge, what is the salary of a judge and other interesting facts. Join us as we delve into the world of justice, where law and justice collide.
A citizen of the Czech Republic over 30 years of age with an appropriate education and who has successfully passed the judicial examination may become a judge. However, before we turn to the topic of judges themselves, let us briefly introduce the organisation of the judiciary. The judiciary in the Czech Republic is like a fascinating labyrinth full of institutions that closely monitor compliance with the law. The organisation of the judiciary takes place at four levels.
The Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court are the top institutions that decide on the most serious legal issues. They represent an imaginary judicial Olympus, as they are the highest and most prestigious institutions. They oversee the administration of justice at the highest level. The Supreme Court deals mainly with civil and criminal cases, while the Supreme Administrative Court deals with administrative law cases.
We have two of these courts in the Czech Republic, located in Prague and Olomouc, and they act as a bridge between the regional courts and the Supreme Court. The High Courts deal mainly with appeals against decisions of regional courts. If someone is not satisfied with the decision of a regional court, they can appeal to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court will review the case.
There are eight regional courts in the Czech Republic. They deal with more complicated cases that require more experience. They are like imaginary detectives who unravel complicated legal stories. Regional courts deal with more serious crimes, complex civil disputes and commercial cases. Their scope of jurisdiction is broader than that of the district courts and their work is often more complicated and requires more expertise.
District courts, of which there are 86, are the cornerstone of the court system. They handle most of the day-to-day legal disputes, and their judges deal with all the small and big problems of ordinary people. District courts handle the vast majority of cases, including minor crimes, family disputes, inheritance proceedings and ordinary civil disputes. They are closest to the people and often the first instance where people go to with their legal problems. For example, you will appear before a judge in District Court if you are going through a divorce or have a dispute with a neighbour.
Outside of this system stands the Constitutional Court, which is charged with making sure that all dispute resolution and court rulings are in accordance with our Constitution. The Constitutional Court is the imaginary watchdog of democracy. It reviews the decisions of state authorities and laws to see if they are in accordance with the Constitution of the Czech Republic. If a law or a decision is found to be unconstitutional, the Constitutional Court can overturn it.
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Becoming a judge is not easy. Anyone who chooses to become a judge faces a long road full of challenges and obstacles, starting in the classroom.
The first step is obtaining a master’s degree in law. This opens the dream door to the world of law and justice for future judges. Rumours that law is one of the most difficult fields of study do not lie. But those who like a challenge enjoy it. Law schools offer a wide range of subjects from constitutional law to international law. Students learn to analyze complex legal issues and argue.
After graduation, future judges must accumulate plenty of experience. Most of them work in the courts as paralegals. During this working phase, future judges learn to apply theory in practice and gain the necessary skills and experience to help them in their future careers.
After gaining the necessary experience, future judges must pass a judicial examination. This tests all the knowledge and skills they have acquired so far. The Judicial Exam is a demanding process in front of a five-member panel that tests not only knowledge of the law, but also the ability to reason logically and make decisions under pressure. It is the one that opens up the world of judicial majesty. The Judicial Exam is very demanding and requires intensive preparation, but passing it is a major milestone on the road to becoming a judge. The bar exam, the final exam of a legal examiner, the notary exam or the professional bailiff exam are also considered to be judicial examinations.
After successfully passing the exam, you can apply for the selection procedure for the position of judge. The selection process is very competitive and includes not only tests but also interviews where all those who want to become a judge must demonstrate their knowledge and skills. These procedures take place in the regional courts.
The President of the Czech Republic appoints those who succeed in the selection procedure as judges. He does so on the proposal of the Minister of Justice. This is where the real career of judges begins, as they are tasked with protecting justice. Appointment as a judge is a great honour and brings with it not only responsibility but also prestige. Judges are appointed to their office without time limit and are bound only by the law when making decisions.
The judicial exam is very demanding, includes several rounds in front of a five-member jury and requires intensive preparation. Passing it is a major milestone on the road to becoming a judge.
A single judge is a judge who decides all aspects of a court case, including the evaluation of evidence and the interpretation of the law, without a jury. A single judge comes into play mainly in cases that require a quick and efficient decision or in less complex matters. For example, a single judge may hear a divorce by agreement, a dispute over damages or various family matters.
The thorny road of education and demanding practice deserves a decent salary. So how much do judges make? The salary of judges reflects not only the importance and difficulty of the job, but also the responsibility judges have in deciding people’s fates. They are calculated on the basis of the average wage in the national economy and a coefficient that depends on the position and the length of experience of the judge.
Judges in district courts have the lowest gross monthly salary. Their earnings range from CZK 100 to 170 thousand per month. In regional courts , judges’ salaries range from CZK 109 to 190 thousand. With increasing experience and more complex cases, a judge’s salary also increases. Judges of the Supreme Court can earn between 120 and 209 thousand crowns, as they are already dealing with really serious cases that require not only expertise but also considerable experience and insight. Constitutional judges also have a huge responsibility, as their decisions can have far-reaching effects on the whole country. The salary of a constitutional judge can therefore exceed CZK 230 000 per month.
A career as a judicial assistant is a great way to get into the courtroom and gain valuable experience. It can be one step on the road to becoming a judge. A judicial assistant is like a judge’s right-hand man, helping him or her with preparation and problem-solving.
A judicial assistant prepares court hearings, gathers and analyzes legal documents, and puts together all the key information that can help a judge make fair decisions. Assistant judges prepare draft decisions and case summaries. They can attend court hearings and learn directly from already experienced judges.
Again, a law degree is required to work as an assistant judge. The salary of an assistant is determined by tables similar to those for other civil servants. It is influenced by experience or personal evaluation. The amount of the personal remuneration is always decided by the individual court.
There is also a Judicial Union of the Czech Republic. This is a voluntary professional association of judges, specifically a society that defends the interests of judges and the independence of the judiciary. Membership of the Judicial Union is voluntary, but about half of all Czech judges join. Representatives of the Judges’ Union represent and defend the interests of the courts, for example, in the event of allegations of bias against a judge, participate in discussions on judicial reforms and court administration, and attend various educational events and conferences. Union members thus have a significant opportunity to influence developments in the judiciary.
Tip: If you want to become a judge, start with undergraduate studies at law school. After that, you need to gain the necessary experience and then pass the judicial, bar, notary, professional bailiff or final exam of the legal examiner.
The Czech Republic has a relatively high level of transparency when it comes to information about judges. Judges are publicly appointed and their names, positions and some other details are available to the general public. You can find up-to-date information about courts and related institutions on the official website of the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic.
Becoming a judge or an assistant judge is not easy, but the result is worth it. To become a judge, you must be a citizen of the Czech Republic of good character who is over 30 years old and has passed the judicial examination or one of the selected professional examinations. A judge can serve in a district, regional, supreme, Supreme or Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic. A judge’s salary is subject to the civil service tariffs and depends on his or her classification and experience. It can range from CZK 100 to 300 thousand per month.
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