The Pre-Vetting Commission heard on 1 March 2023 the first two non-judicial candidates put forward by the Parliament for positions in the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM). They are former lawyer and judge Tatiana Chiriac and Tatiana Ciaglic, head of section at the Legal Information Centre of the National Institute of Justice.

According to the Pre-Vetting Committee, the issues raised during Tatiana Chiriac’s hearing related to the circumstances of the lease and use of public agricultural land, the lack of declarations of assets and personal interests at the time of appointment and release from public office, as well as the undervaluation of two cars owned by the candidate’s family.

Professional background relevant to the post for which Tatiana Chiriac is applying:

• 1997 – 2008 – Judge at the Călărași Court of Appeal
• 2008 – 2013 – Lawyer in the Law Firm “Tatiana Chiriac”
• 2013 – 2014 – Head of the Records and Procedural Documentation Section of the Court of Calarasi
• 2014 – 2016 – Head of the Secretariat of the Court of Calarasi.

Video recording of the hearing of non-judge candidate Tatiana Chiriac

During Tatiana Chiriac‘s hearing, Commission members noted that all issues related to her financial and ethical integrity “were elucidated in written communication with her”.

The candidates to the CSM proposed by the Parliament have professional experience in law or other related field. Here is Tatiana Ciaglic’s professional background:

• 2008 – 2013 – held several positions in the Court Administration Agency
• 2012-2016 – member, chair of the Mediation Council
• 2020 – 2022 – justice expert at the Institute for Public Policy and European Reform.
• 2013 – present – Head of the E-Training Section and trainer in the Legal Information Centre of the National Institute of Justice.

Video of the hearing of non-judge candidate Tatiana Ciaglic

“The CSM candidates proposed by the Parliament have professional experience in law or other relevant field and, similar to the group of judicial candidates, are evaluated by the Pre-Vetting Commission in order to become eligible for a permanent position in the CSM. The financial and ethical integrity checks cover a period of 15 years,” according to the Pre-Vetting Commission.

From 1 to 7 March 2023, the Pre-Vetting Commission will hear the group of non-judicial candidates put forward by the Parliament for membership of the CSM. A total of eight remaining candidates with professional experience in law or other relevant field will participate in the interview. The non-judge candidates are Tatiana Chiriac, Tatiana Ciaglic, Alexandru Rotari, Valentin Caișîn, Alexandru Postică, Ion Guzun, Ștefan Belecciu and Angela Popil.

Two other candidates put forward by the legislature, Evgheni Florea, a university professor at Comrat State University, and Ilie Mămăligă, a lawyer, did not pass the assessment because they did not submit their 5-year declaration on time. And two other candidates, Fiodor Bria, lecturer at the Free International University, and Ludmila Uș, withdrew from the competition and did not pass the assessment.

The Pre-Vetting Committee announced on Tuesday 17 January that it has started the evaluation procedure of the group of candidates submitted by the Parliament for the position of member of the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM). The list of 12 non-judge candidates, admitted to the competition by a decision of the Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs, Appointments and Immunities, includes self-employed lawyers, lawyers and representatives of civil society and academia, who will go through the process of financial and ethical integrity checks in order to become eligible to become permanent members of the CSM.

Of the non-judge candidates who pass the pre-vetting commission’s assessment, Parliament will appoint, by a vote of three-fifths of elected MPs, six members of the Superior Council of Magistracy. Thus, the new composition of the CSM will be made up of 6 judges, elected by secret ballot by the General Assembly of Judges, and 6 non-judges, appointed by Parliament.

Only five judges, candidates for positions in the CSM, have passed the evaluation of the pre-vetting commission – Livia Mitrofan and Maria Frunze from the Chisinau Court, Centre seat, Ioana Chironeț, judge at the Chisinau Court, Ciocana seat, Vasile Șchiopu, judge at the Ungheni Court and Sergiu Caraman, judge at the Criuleni Court.