Composition and Organization of the Council
Explanation
The administrative judiciary [La juridiction administrative] is considered part of the judicial organization of the Ministry of Justice. This judiciary consists of the State Council [Conseil d'État] and administrative courts [Tribunaux administratifs]. The State Council presides over these courts in its capacity as a supreme court, and its headquarters is located in Beirut. In addition to its judicial functions, the Council undertakes the review of regulatory texts.
The President of the State Council enjoys broad administrative and financial powers. The President exercises these powers pursuant to a permanent delegation [Délégation permanente] that allows him to exercise the powers of the Minister competent for the Council, excluding constitutional powers. This includes undertaking the commitment of the Council's expenditures, as well as monitoring their commitment and liquidation.
The President of the State Council and the Government Commissioner [Commissaire du Gouvernement] are appointed by a decree [Décret] issued by the Council of Ministers based on the proposal of the Minister of Justice. They are chosen from among the chamber presidents in the top four grades, or from counselors in the first grade and above. They may also be appointed from among judges who are in the twelfth grade and above.
The entry of new judges into the administrative judiciary is subject to a precise mechanism based on a competitive examination [Le concours]. The Minister of Justice determines the number of trainee judges to be appointed after consulting the Bureau of the Council. The Bureau of the State Council is responsible for organizing the examination, determining its subjects and the passing grade, and appointing the examining committee.
A candidate for the examination must have been Lebanese for at least ten years, and be between 21 and 31 years of age. They must enjoy their civil rights, be of good character, be in good health, and hold a law degree. Anyone holding a State Doctorate in Law is exempt from the examination, provided they obtain the approval of the Bureau of the Council.
Official legal articles
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Think deeper
How does the role of the Bureau of the State Council in organizing the judges' examination and their appointment reflect the balance between the independence of the administrative judiciary and its organizational connection to the Ministry of Justice?
Flashcards
What does the administrative judiciary in Lebanon consist of?
It consists of the State Council and administrative courts.
Where is the headquarters of the State Council located?
Its headquarters is in Beirut.
Who is responsible for committing the expenditures of the State Council, as well as monitoring their commitment and liquidation?
The President of the State Council, pursuant to a permanent delegation.
What is the legal instrument for appointing the President of the State Council and the Government Commissioner?
A decree issued by the Council of Ministers based on the proposal of the Minister of Justice.
What is the minimum number of years holding Lebanese nationality required to apply for the administrative judiciary examination?
At least ten years.
What is the maximum age allowed to apply for the administrative judiciary examination?
Not to exceed thirty-one years of age.
What is the exception that allows the appointment of an administrative judge without an examination?
Holding a State Doctorate in Law and obtaining the approval of the Bureau of the Council.
Practice questions
Which of the following powers is not included in the permanent delegated powers of the President of the State Council?
The permanent delegation includes financial and administrative powers, excluding constitutional powers (Article 3).
Which authority determines the number of trainee judges intended to be appointed?
The Minister of Justice determines the number of trainee judges intended to be appointed after consulting the Bureau of the State Council (Article 9).
Which of the following conditions is incorrect for applying to the administrative judiciary examination?
The law requires the candidate to have been Lebanese for at least ten years, not five years (Article 9).
Who appoints the examining committee at the start of each examination for administrative judges?
The Bureau of the State Council appoints the examining committee at the start of each examination from among the judges (Article 9).
If the salary of a newly appointed judge exceeds the salary of the last grade of the rank, how is his situation handled?
The judge is appointed to the grade whose salary equals his salary, retaining the seniority qualifying for promotion (Article 9).
Case problems
Samir, who is 30 years old and Lebanese since birth, applied to participate in the entry examination for the administrative judiciary. Samir holds a Lebanese law degree, but he was previously convicted of an infamous misdemeanor. Is he entitled to apply for the examination?
Model answer
Samir is not entitled to apply for the examination.
The law requires that a candidate applying for the examination must not have been convicted of a felony or an infamous misdemeanor (Article 9).
Despite fulfilling the age and nationality requirements and holding a law degree, his conviction for an infamous misdemeanor deprives him of a mandatory condition for admission.
Self-grading rubric
The Minister of Justice proposed appointing a judge in the thirteenth grade to the position of Government Commissioner at the State Council. Some objected, arguing that this position is restricted to chamber presidents and counselors only. Is this appointment legal?
Model answer
Yes, the appointment is legal.
The law allows appointing the Government Commissioner by a decree in the Council of Ministers from among judges in the twelfth grade and above (Article 5).
Since the proposed judge is in the thirteenth grade, they fulfill the alternative condition, and the appointment is not restricted to chamber presidents.
Self-grading rubric
The Minister of Justice decided unilaterally to organize an examination for the entry of trainee judges into the administrative judiciary, and proceeded to determine the examination subjects, the passing grade, and appoint the examining committee. Are the Minister's actions compliant with the law?
Model answer
No, the Minister's actions are not compliant with the law.
The role of the Minister of Justice is limited to determining the number of trainee judges to be appointed and requesting the examination organization (Article 9).
However, organizing the examination, determining its subjects and passing grade, and appointing the committee are exclusive powers of the State Council Bureau.