The amendments of April 3, 2008, to the law On Judicial Power changed the procedure under which the composition of the Departments of the Supreme Court Senate is determined. Previously it was within the competence of the Plenary Session of the Supreme Court.
The amendments to the law provide that after the confirmation of a Supreme Court Judge in the position, the structural unit of the Supreme Court in which the Judge fulfils his/her duties is determined by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (Article 50, part 3.1).
Upon a proposal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, a Senator of another Department or a Judge of a Chamber after receiving the approval of the Judicial Qualification Panel may be appointed in the position of the Supreme Court Senator. A Judge is appointed to the position of a Senator by the general meeting of Senators of the respective Department of the Senate where the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court participates with a voting right (Article 50, part 3.2).
