Family affairs at Slovak judiciary

Almost one third of new judges at district courts have a family member already working in the judiciary, Hospodárske Noviny daily reports. The case of Judita Gabonaiová Hrencuková who has been successful in a selection procedure at the Rožňava District Court, where her mother has been working for many years triggered a discussion about how deep nepotism is rooted in the Slovak judiciary. An analysis carried out by an NGO Via Juris has confirmed the unhealthy state of the judiciary in these terms, revealing that applicants interested in the post of judge who have a family member in the judiciary are more successful than those who don't. It's apparent that a relationship with a person working in the judiciary shouldn't be a preclusive element for those who apply for the post of judge, said lawyer Kristina Babiaková, who cooperates with Via Juris. She added that it's important to make the selection transparent and objective with clear criteria, however.