Dimitry Berberoff Nominated as Vice President of Spain's Supreme Court
In a significant development, Isabel Perelló, the newly-elected President of the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) and the Supreme Court (TS), has proposed jurist Dimitry Berberoff for the position of Vice President. The formal session for ratification of this appointment has been scheduled for Wednesday, the 25th of next week, as communicated to CGPJ members on Monday. To secure the position, Perelló needs a three-fifths majority; if that majority isn't attained, she will be required to present an alternative candidate.
Dimitry Berberoff has been serving as a member of the Supreme Court since 2018. His legal career includes a role at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) from 2007 to 2010, as well as membership in the CGPJ's Network of Experts in European Union Law (REDUE). His candidacy is viewed as a strategic move by President Perelló to enhance the European dimension within the Supreme Court, according to sources from the Council.
It's noteworthy that Berberoff, during his five-year term, will not occupy any organic positions within judicial associations. He currently holds the title of Vice President of the Professional Association of Judges (APM), the largest organization representing the judicial profession.
Despite the formal nature of the presidential proposal, discussions between progressive and conservative factions within the CGPJ regarding the vice presidency reportedly commenced soon after Perelló's election, as reported by Europa Press. Initially, there were suggestions that to maintain internal balance, the vice presidency, given Perelló's progressive stance, should belong to a conservative representative.
To serve as Vice President of the Supreme Court, one must be actively serving, hold the rank of Supreme Court judge, and meet the qualifications required to preside over a chamber of the high court, which include having been a member for at least three years. Berberoff fulfills these prerequisites as he has held a seat on the Supreme Court since September 2018, focusing on contentious administrative matters—the same chamber that Perelló was part of, which primarily deals with economic and tax-related issues. Notably, since 2014, he has also been the Director of the Technical Cabinet of the Supreme Court.
Born in 1969, Berberoff graduated in Law from the University of Zaragoza in 1992. Following his qualifications, he began his judicial career, which included postings in Villena and Xátiva, and later becoming a specialist judge in contentious administrative matters at the High Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC). His experience also includes teaching roles at the International University of Catalonia and the Cardenal Cisneros Higher Education Center affiliated with the Complutense University of Madrid. Additionally, he is an active contributor to the Research Network on EU Administrative Law.
With more than 30 publications on EU law and administrative law under his belt, Berberoff is a respected figure in legal academia and has frequently been invited to speak at various congresses and seminars organized by public institutions.
The responsibilities of the Vice President extend beyond mere ceremonial duties. In accordance with the law, the Vice President is tasked with carrying out the responsibilities of the President of both the Supreme Court and the CGPJ in circumstances that warrant such action, such as the early cessation of the President’s term. His primary role involves collaborating with the President to ensure the effective operation of the courts, standing in for the President during times of absence or illness.
Following Berberoff's potential appointment, he will automatically be a member of the Government Chamber of the Supreme Court, where one of his tasks will be to advise on decisions to guarantee the effective functioning of the Supreme Court and the execution of agreements reached.
In conclusion, as this chapter on the vice presidency unfolds, attention will soon shift towards the commissions, notably the Qualification committee, tasked with addressing the numerous vacancies left in judicial leadership, as well as the Permanent committee, which serves as the highest executive body.
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