Stefani Loli-Siailou was sworn in as the new Advocate General at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) during a ceremony held in Luxembourg on Monday.
Court President Koen Lenaerts, whose own term was renewed by the Council of the European Union last Friday, told members of the court that, following the departure of Nikolaos Aimilios to take up his post as a judge at the European Court of Human Rights, the panel of Advocates General was once again at full strength.
Increase in cases
Koen Lenaerts noted that judicial statistics for the current year confirmed the continued rise in the number of cases brought before the CJEU.
He said the growing caseload raised new legal questions while also involving issues that are "particularly sensitive", as they concern the principles and values underpinning the European Union. He added that these developments fully justified the important role played by the Advocates General in a significant number of cases.
Welcoming Loli-Siailou to the court, Koen Lenaerts praised what he described as her "outstanding and multifaceted career".
Academic background
He highlighted her academic background, including a doctorate from the University of Leicester, and her teaching and research at the University of Nicosia and the University of Central Lancashire. He also referred to her later roles at UCLan Cyprus, where she served as Dean of the School of Law and Director of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence for the Rule of Law and European Values.
Koen Lenaerts also commended her extensive advisory and research work in European Union law, noting her publications on subjects including EU citizenship, the Union's socio-economic governance, migration and financial crises, the rule of law, European values and the legal challenges posed by the digital age.
Expressing confidence in her appointment, he said her extensive experience would make a valuable contribution to the work of the court and offered his congratulations and best wishes on behalf of the institution.
Following the resignation of Nikolaos Aimilios, representatives of the governments of the EU member states appointed Loli-Siailou as Advocate General by decision on 10 July 2026. Her term began on 13 July 2026 and will run until 6 October 2027, completing the remainder of her predecessor's mandate.
