How do professional judges in civil-law countries begin their careers?

In civil-law countries, a professional judicial career is distinct from the common-law tradition, as it is typically treated as a specialized branch of the civil service.12

The process generally follows these steps:

• Career Choice: Upon graduating from law school, an individual chooses between a career as a private lawyer or a career as a judge.13
• Training and Examination: Candidates must complete a required period of practical training—which varies by country—and pass a competitive examination. For example, in France, this involves study at the National School of the Judiciary followed by practical internships, while in Germany, it requires a two-year Referendar program and a second state examination.24
• Appointment: Successful candidates are appointed to the judiciary and begin their service at a low-level court.13
• Advancement: Judges work their way up a hierarchical ladder through a series of promotions. These assignments and advancements are typically managed by a council of senior judges or a minister of justice, rather than through lateral entry from private practice.231

This system ensures that judges are uniformly professional and competent, though it is often noted for fostering a civil-service mentality that emphasizes hierarchy over individual judicial initiative.2