Four months as acting district court judge at Copenhagen City Court

Are you a lawyer with relevant experience, you can apply for a constitutional position as a judge in Copenhagen City Court with appointment on 1 March 2027 . It is a training constitutional with an intensive and focused four-month program, where you independently fulfill the role as judge. You will receive during the process personal guidance from two of the court's judges regarding your professional and personal competencies.

It is possible to apply for similar constitutions at the courts in Aalborg, Viborg, Kolding, Odense, Hillerød, Næstved and also at the Court on Frederiksberg.

About the constitution program

The constitution program begins with an introductory course together with the other constituting city court judges. Thereafter you will handle what corresponds to about 75 percent of a judge's cases, and you will quickly come to independently serve the court as judge several days a week. It is aimed that you will handle both civil cases and criminal cases, and that you will participate in a 3-judge case or a jury case.

During the constitution you are closely followed by two judges for two months each. They will continuously evaluate your handling of court hearings and drafting of written works, and give you concrete and constructive feedback regarding your professional and personal competencies. Thus you receive a unique opportunity for daily sparring with an experienced judge.

At the end of the constitution you will receive a consolidated statement from the president of the district court regarding a number of your personal and professional competencies as well as an assessment of your suitability as a judge.

Qualifications

It is a prerequisite for the constitution that you have passed the juridical cand.merc. (cand.jur.) exam.

The target group for city court constitutions is employees of the courts as well as external applicants, including lawyers, who seek insight into the work of a city court judge. The program is primarily aimed at you who have 5-10 years of relevant legal professional experience or have completed a state court constitution, but are not permanently employed at the courts.

It is essential that you have the qualifications necessary to serve on the court on your own. There is thus an expectation that you:

• have exceptionally strong theoretical qualifications
• are ready to make decisions of great significance
• can work independently and have impact
• have good communication skills both orally and in writing
• are open to acquiring new knowledge as well as receiving feedback
• are interested in societal issues
• show respect and propriety in your communication and interaction with others.

City court constitutions can also be sought by externals who have completed a state court constitution but who wish to gain more practical experience from a city court. The constitutional period in the Court of Appeal will continue to be the focal point for assessing the candidate's suitability as a judge, but a city court constitution can particularly help illuminate the individual's abilities in judicial leadership and mediation.

Salary and terms of employment

Employment in the position is temporary and is on contract terms unless the applicant is already a civil servant.

The position is placed in salary grade 38. The position is also linked to a non-pensionable personal allowance. The total salary at present amounts to DKK 69,168 per month excluding pension (August 1, 2026 level).

For contract employees, a pension contribution of 18.07 percent of the salary grade salary is additionally provided.

An expatriation allowance can be paid if the conditions are met. Any such allowance will be taxed according to the applicable rules.

Application

You apply for the position electronically at www.domstol.dk under “Jobs”. If you apply for several city court constitutions, they must be applied for separately. You should indicate in your applications which positions you have applied for, and provide a prioritized order among them.

Please attach your curriculum vitae, final bachelor and master certificates showing grades and average grade, and any state court opinions. Additionally, please attach a suitable digital photo. Applications must be received in the recruitment system no later than 23 November 2026 .

Any questions can be directed to Asger Weber, HR center of the Danish Courts Administration, at tel. 2332 2766. Questions about the process in the Judicial Appointment Council can be directed to the council secretary Hannah Nüchel Wildt at tel. 5123 1322.

The Judicial Appointment Council is expected to decide which applicants will be put forward for all announced city court constitutions for training purposes at the council meeting on 17 December 2026. The nominations will be published by a press release on 18 December 2026 at 14:00. The nominated applicants will be informed by telephone between 13:00 and 13:30.

The Judicial Appointment Council will submit a recommendation to the Minister of Justice regarding the appointment of judges. 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 how your personal data are processed here.

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