Maria José Costeira elected Vice-President of the EU General Court

Portuguese judge Maria José Costeira has been elected by her peers as the Vice-President of the General Court of the European Union. Her mandate is set to conclude on August 31, 2028.

Costeira, a graduate of the University of Coimbra, has served as a judge at the General Court since September 2016 and previously held the position of Section President from September 2019 to August 2025. She is an academic who has taught industrial property, competition, and commercial law at several Portuguese institutions, including the Universities of Lisbon, Coimbra, and Minho.

The General Court is one of two judicial bodies comprising the Court of Justice of the European Union. It consists of 54 judges, with two representatives from each Member State, and is responsible for reviewing cases brought by individuals, companies, and organizations contesting decisions made by EU institutions.