The Presidency

The Presidency of the Supreme Court and the General Council of the Judiciary is an ex officio function of the President of the Supreme Court.

The President of the General Council of the Judiciary shall (Article 598 of the Organic Act on the Judiciary):

1. Represent the General Council of the Judiciary.

2. Convene and chair the Plenary Sessions and the meetings of the Permanent Committee, and use a casting vote where necessary.

3. Set the agenda for the Plenary Sessions and the meetings of the Permanent Committee.

4. Put such questions to the Plenary Session and the Permanent Committee as are considered appropriate with regard to their jurisdiction.

5. Nominate members to prepare resolutions or studies.

6. Authorise the agreements of the Plenary Session and the Permanent Committee by means of a signature.

7. Carry out the executive management of the activities of the technical bodies of the General Council of the Judiciary.

8. Direct institutional communication.

9. Nominate the competent Magistrate, from the Second or Third Chambers of the Supreme Court, to hear cases pertaining to the authorisation of the activities of the National Intelligence Centre that may affect the basic rights listed in articles 18.2 and 3 of the Spanish Constitution, along with the Magistrate from the aforementioned Chambers of the Supreme Court who will substitute the former in the event of his/her absence or inability to hear the case.

10. Appoint and dismiss the Director of the President's Office and the Director of the Communications Office, along with any other staff that may be required in order to serve the President.

11. Propose the appointment of the Deputy President of the Supreme Court and the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General to the Plenary Session, and propose the dismissal of the latter two posts.

12. Assign responsibilities to specific persons or work groups, provided said responsibility is neither permanent nor granted for an indefinite term.

13. All other functions as provided for in this Organic Law.