MOSCOW, June 18 (RAPSI) – Russia’s Supreme Court has announced an open application period to fill judicial positions, one-third of which remain vacant, Chief Justice Vyacheslav Lebedev told journalists.

Under a federal law that entered into force on February 5, the Supreme Court will take on the authority of the Supreme Commercial Court, which will cease to exist by the end of this summer.

The Qualifications Board has considered 223 applications and recommended hiring 110 candidates, including 100 judges and 10 officials. There are 60 vacancies, because the merged court requires 170 judges.

Lebedev said the candidates should satisfy the requirements of the law and moral and ethical standards.

“The (selection) process will likely take longer than expected,” he said. “But this is justified because we need to fill the vacancies with judges who have good or even great legal training.”

Lebedev added that the delay would not affect the schedule of hearings.