The executive judicial self-governance body in Lithuania retained its leadership team in a secret ballot, with the National Courts Administration reporting the election results on Friday. Dr. Danguolė Bublienė, who serves as the President of the Supreme Court of Lithuania, was reelected as chair of the Judicial Council. Ramūnas Gadliauskas, a judge at the Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania, continues as deputy chair, while Viktorija Šelmienė, president of the Vilnius City District Court, remains in her position as secretary.
Secret ballot secures another term
The leadership of the Judicial Council is elected every two years through a secret ballot. The council itself functions as the executive self-governance institution for the courts, tasked with safeguarding the independence of both the judiciary and individual judges. It consists of 17 judges in total, and members serve four-year terms on the council. The recent vote secured another term for the existing top officers, maintaining continuity at the helm of the judicial administrative body.
Following the vote, Dr. Bublienė outlined the council’s focus areas in a public statement published on Friday. “I assure you that we will continue to work consistently in implementing the approved 2025–2028 strategic activity directions,” she wrote on the social network Facebook. Among the priorities she listed are securing funding that matches court needs, maintaining necessary human resources, and strengthening the authority and financial independence of the judiciary.
Did You Know? The Judicial Council operates as a 17-member executive body with four-year terms, while its internal leadership positions—specifically the chair, deputy chair, and secretary—are contested and decided every two years via a secret ballot.
Reelected leadership aims to improve workload distribution
The reelected leadership aims to improve workload distribution and operational processes across the court system while advancing technological solutions and communication standards. Dr. Bublienė also emphasized the importance of safeguarding employee well-being and security within the institutions. She noted that Lithuanian courts stand out in the broader European context for their efficient case handling and high level of digitalization, alongside rising public trust indicators.
The explicit focus on financial independence and resource allocation points to goals outlined in the 2025–2028 strategic activity directions.
Despite these favorable European comparisons, the leadership acknowledged that significant difficulties remain. Dr. Bublienė stated that these underlying problems must be addressed to preserve the quality of justice and continue improving operational results. The implementation of the 2025–2028 strategic plan will serve as the primary framework for tackling these administrative hurdles.
Reelected leaders of the Judicial Council
Who are the reelected leaders of the Judicial Council?
The National Courts Administration reported that Dr. Danguolė Bublienė, President of the Supreme Court of Lithuania, was reelected as chair. Ramūnas Gadliauskas, a judge at the Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania, continues as deputy chair, and Viktorija Šelmienė, president of the Vilnius City District Court, stays on as secretary.
How often is the leadership chosen, and how is the vote conducted?
The leadership of the Judicial Council is elected every two years through a secret ballot. The council itself is composed of 17 judges who serve four-year terms.
What are the primary goals for the council under the current leadership?
How will the stated strategic priorities impact everyday case processing times in Lithuanian courts over the coming years?
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