Acting High Court Judge at the Eastern High Court

Are you considering a career as a judge? You can now apply for a landsretskonstitution (a High Court constitutional appointment) lasting 9-10 months, where you, through an evaluation process, will clarify your opportunities to later apply for a position as a judge.

There are currently three vacant positions with a start date of 1 February 2027.

One of the positions is to be filled with a view to backlog elimination. For this position it is advantageous if you have experience from the judiciary, but it is not a requirement. This position can also be sought by appointed judges. For applicants who have not previously completed a landsretskonstitution, the constitutional process will be arranged as described below.

As an acting High Court judge you typically work in three different divisions during the constitutional period. Here you serve as a third judge in the handling of a wide range of civil and criminal cases. You therefore vote together with the division’s appointed High Court judges. Your duties also include presenting written appeals cases and drafting judgments and orders.

An introductory program has been arranged for interim High Court judges. Before taking office you will usually be invited to the High Court and receive a written introduction to the work. On appointment you will receive an introduction to the workflows etc., and it is planned that you observe a case, including the voting, before you yourself serve as a High Court judge.

During the constitutional process you will receive ongoing feedback on your professional and personal competencies.

Under the Administration of Justice Act, appointment as a judge generally requires that the candidate's suitability has been assessed in the High Court. At the end of your constitutional period, therefore, the President of the High Court will issue a comprehensive statement about your constitutional period and an assessment of your qualifications for a position as a district court judge.

As part of the constitutional process you participate in trips to the High Court’s hearing locations, where cases are regularly held. The trips typically last four days.

You can read more about the different constitutional appointments in the High Courts here.

Qualifications

It is a prerequisite for the constitution as a High Court judge that you have passed the legal cand. jur. exam.

The target group for landsretskonstitutioner is all lawyers considering a career as a judge, as well as judicial clerks. A constitution normally requires at least 8-10 years of relevant legal professional experience.

It is essential that you have the professional and personal qualifications needed to function as a judge together with two appointed High Court judges and to participate in the daily work in the High Court. Therefore you must:

• have exceptionally strong theoretical qualifications
• be prepared to make decisions of great significance
• be able to work independently and have impact
• have good communication skills both orally and in writing
• be open to acquiring new knowledge and to receiving feedback
• be interested in societal conditions
• show respect and propriety in your communication and dealings with others.

You can read more about the Judges Appointment Council’s practices for filling constitutional positions in the High Courts here.

Salary and terms of employment

Employment in positions is temporary and on collective-agreement terms, unless the applicant is already a civil servant.

The positions are placed in salary band 38. For positions there is also an attached allowance. The total salary currently amounts to 82,122 DKK per month excluding pension (as of 1 August 2026). For appointed district court judges the total salary is 87,120 DKK per month excluding pension (as of 1 August 2026).

In addition, for those employed under the collective agreement there is a pension contribution of 18.07% of the base salary. For appointed judges and court assessors there is an additional pension contribution of 17.1% of the allowance.

A relocation allowance may be paid if the conditions for this are met. Any such allowance will be taxed according to the applicable rules.

An applicant who is already employed as a deputy judge or court assessor must determine themselves whether there is a possibility to arrange a backflow/right of return. Read more in the Courts’ HR Administrative Guide (DS-PAV) Chapter 18 on Intra.

Application

The positions are applied for electronically at www.domstol.dk under “Job”. Please clearly indicate in your application which positions you are applying for, and provide a prioritized order of them.

You should attach your curriculum vitae, final bachelor- and candidate certificate showing grades and grade point average, and any references. Also attach a recent digital photo. Applications must be received in the recruitment system no later than 22 October 2026.

Any questions can be directed to Asger Weber, HR Center, Danish Courts Administration, at tel. 2332 2766. Questions about the process in the Judges Appointment Council can be directed to the Council’s secretary Hannah Nüchel Wildt at tel. 5123 1322.

The Judges Appointment Council is expected to decide which applicants will be recommended for the positions at the Council’s meeting on 19 November 2026. The recommendations will be published by a press release on 20 November 2026 at 14:00. The recommended applicants will be notified by telephone between 13:00 and 13:30.

The Judges Appointment Council submits a recommendation to the Minister of Justice regarding the filling of judge positions. There are often many qualified applicants for judge positions at Denmark’s Courts. The Council therefore encourages interested applicants to apply again. Further information about the Council can be found at www.dommerudnaevnelsesraadet.dk . You can also read more about the handling of your personal data here .

We encourage anyone who is interested and qualified to apply for the positions regardless of personal circumstances such as age, gender, race, ethnic background, etc.