Election of the honorary administrative judges in 2024

The following requirements, among others, must be met in order to exercise the honorary office:

• German citizenship
• Minimum age of 25 years at the start of the term of office on April 1, 2025
• Residence in Erlangen

Legal knowledge is not required for the honorary office.

You should also understand and speak German in order to be able to actively participate in negotiations.

This responsible voluntary position requires a high degree of impartiality, independence and maturity of judgment, but also mental agility. It is also important that you have knowledge of human nature, social skills and that you can empathize with people, think logically and are unprejudiced. You should also have a sense of justice and steadfastness and a good dose of courage.

Sections 21 and 22 of the German Code of Administrative Court Procedure (VwGO) stipulate when persons should not or may not be appointed to an honorary office.

§ Section 21 VwGO

Excluded from the office of honorary judge are

1. Persons who, as a result of a judge's decision, do not have the capacity to hold public office or who have been sentenced to more than six months' imprisonment for an intentional offense;
2. Persons against whom charges have been brought for an offense that may result in the loss of the ability to hold public office;
3. Persons who do not have the right to vote for the legislative bodies of the country.

In addition, persons who have fallen into financial difficulties should not be appointed as honorary judges.

§ Section 22 VwGO

The following may not be appointed as honorary judges:

1. Members of the Bundestag, the European Parliament, the legislative bodies of a federal state, the federal government or a federal state government;
2. Judges;
3. Civil servants and employees in the public service, unless they are working in an honorary capacity;
4. Professional soldiers and temporary soldiers;
5. Lawyers, notaries and persons who deal with legal matters on behalf of third parties.
   

Citizens of the City of Erlangen who are interested in the honorary office and meet the above requirements can apply to the Legal Department of the City of Erlangen from now until August 16, 2024 at the latest.

Please fill out the application form.

The election of administrative judges for the future term of office from 2025 to 2030 is a two-stage process.

The Legal Department of the City of Erlangen draws up a list of potential candidates on behalf of a nomination committee. Your application will be included in the list of candidates after the requirements and grounds for exclusion have been checked. This list of candidates is presented to the City Council and approved.

The final selection is then made by the Election Committee at the Bavarian Administrative Court in Ansbach following a preliminary examination by the Government of Middle Franconia.

The persons appointed are notified directly by the Bavarian Administrative Court in Ansbach.

As this is an honorary position, honorary administrative judges do not receive any remuneration for their work. However, they are entitled to compensation for disadvantages caused by their work in accordance with the German Judicial Remuneration and Compensation Act (JVEG). For example, they receive compensation for loss of earnings, lost time and travel expenses.

YES! They exercise their judicial office in the hearing to the full extent and with the same voting rights as participating professional judges.

The number of meeting days is calculated in such a way that each honorary judge is expected to attend a maximum of twelve meeting days per year.