Four months as acting district court judge at the Court in Kolding

If you are a lawyer with relevant experience, you can apply for a constitutional appointment as a judge at the Court in Kolding with accession on 1 March 2027 . This is a constitutional appointment with an intensive four‑month program, where you independently perform the role of judge. Along the way, you will receive personal guidance from two of the court's judges regarding your professional and personal competences.

It is possible to apply for similar constitutional appointments at the courts in Aalborg, Viborg, Odense, Hillerød and Næstved, as well as at the Copenhagen City Court and the Court on Frederiksberg.

About the constitutional program

The constitutional program begins with an introductory course together with the other constitutional temporary court judges. Thereafter you will handle what corresponds to about 75 percent of a judge’s caseload, and you will quickly assume the role of judge at the court several days a week. It is aimed that you will handle both civil and criminal cases, and that you will participate in a three‑judge case or a jury trial.

During the constitution you are closely supervised by two judges for two months each. They will continuously evaluate your handling of court hearings and drafting of written work and give you concrete and constructive feedback regarding your professional and personal competences. You thus get a unique opportunity for daily sparring with an experienced judge.

At the end of the constitution you will receive a comprehensive assessment from the president of the District Court regarding a number of your personal and professional competences as well as an evaluation of your suitability as a judge.

Qualifications

It is a condition for the constitution that you have passed the Master of Laws degree.

The target group for district court constitutions is employees of the courts as well as external candidates, including lawyers, who wish to gain insight into the work of a district court judge. The program is primarily aimed at you who have 5–10 years of relevant legal professional experience or have completed a county court constitution, but are not permanently employed by the courts.

It is essential that you have the qualifications required to preside over the court independently. There is thus an expectation that you:

• have exceptionally strong theoretical qualifications
• are ready to make decisions of great consequence
• can work independently and have impact
• have good communication skills, both oral and written
• are open to acquiring new knowledge and receiving feedback
• are interested in societal conditions
• show respect and propriety in your communication and interaction with others.

District court constitutions can also be applied for by externals who have completed a county court constitution but would like more practical experience from a district court. The constitutional period in the High Court will continue to be the central factor in assessing the applicant's suitability as a judge, but a district court constitution can particularly contribute to illuminating the individual's abilities in court management and mediation.

Salary and terms of employment

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

The position is placed in pay grade 38. In addition, a non-pensionable personal allowance is attached to the position. The total salary is currently 69,168 DKK per month excluding pension (August 1, 2026 level).

For union‑member employees there is also a pension contribution of 18.07% of the pay grade salary.

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 district court constitutions, you must apply for them separately. In that case, please specify in your applications which positions you have applied for and indicate a prioritized order among them.

Please attach a curriculum vitae, your final bachelor’s and master’s degrees showing grades and average, and any county court opinion. In addition, please attach a recent digital photo. Applications must be received in the recruitment system no later than 23 November 2026 .

Any questions may be directed to Asger Weber, HR Center, Danish Agency for Courts, at tel. 2332 2766. Questions about the process in the Judicial Appointments Council may be directed to the Council’s secretary Hannah Nüchel Wildt at tel. 5123 1322.

The Judicial Appointments Council is expected to decide which applicants to nominate for all the advertised district court constitutions in training at its meeting on 17 December 2026. The nominations will be announced by a press release on 18 December 2026 at 14:00. The nominated applicants will be informed by phone between 13:00 and 13:30.

The Judicial Appointments Council submits its nomination to the Minister of Justice for the appointment of judges. There are often many qualified applicants for judge positions at the Danish Courts. The Council therefore encourages interested applicants to re-apply. Further information about the Council is available at www.dommerudnaevnelsesraadet.dk . You can also read more about how your personal data are handled here.

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