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WG Independence-Efficiency > Meetings > Palermo 8 November 2012 > Evaluation according to the Recommendation CM/rec (2012) 12 to member states on judges : Independence, efficiency and responsibilities

Evaluation according to the Recommendation CM/rec (2012) 12 to member states on judges : Independence, efficiency and responsibilities

The Independent Finance Board (IFB) is a tribunal in accordance with Art 6 ECHR and a Court within the meaning of Art 267 TFEU.
Its independence is ensured by constitutional law. The individual independence of its members is laid down in constitutional and other federal regulations.


The members are appointed until the statutory age of retirement.
A removal to another department (branch office) within the IFB or another public organization outside the IFB without the member’s agreement is legally forbidden.


The remuneration of the members is regulated by law and doesn’t depend on the performance of the judge. The members earn all-inclusive salary, which means, they don’t get extra overtime payment.
”Bonus systems” or ” individual subjective salaries” are generally viewed as incompatible with the judges’ independence, because it could convey the unseemly impression of a possible exertion of influence on jurisprudence.

If a member doesn’t fullfill his/her task over an extended period of time a performance procedure can be initiated by the president. If the judge is not satisfied with the assessment he/she has the right to appeal it before a commission, which comprises judges of the IFB.


There is no discussion regarding to the judges remunerations for instance because of the financial crisis.
The evaluation of judicial work is generally seen as difficult and challenging. In the IFB a monitoring system without the infringement of the judges’ independence is established. The result of the monitoring is transparent and is being discussed by the president with the judges.


Generally spoken the resources of the IFB are adequate. However the fact that the advertisement of a vacancy needs the approval of the Ministry of Finance has to be regarded as an infringement.
On 1. January 2014 a reform of administrative jurisdiction will take place, which establish a long overdue introduction of a two-tiered system of administrative courts. Due to this reform the IFB will be transformed into a Federal Administrative Court of Finance, which means in terms of independence a further improvement of quality, for instance regarding the appointment (shortlist of three candidates proposed to the government by a committee of the plenary assembly).