Viborg Municipality seeks new lay judges for 2028–2031

Viborg Municipality is inviting citizens to apply to become lay judges for the period 2028–2031. Starting September 7, residents can apply to be included on a preliminary list of 326 citizens. From this list, the Vestre Landsret will draw lots to select lay judges, who serve as assessors to assist legal judges in determining guilt and sentencing in district or high courts.

To be eligible, applicants must reside in Viborg Municipality, be between 18 and 75 years old (not exceeding 75 by the end of 2026), hold Danish citizenship, and possess sufficient knowledge of the Danish language. Candidates must also be in good physical and mental health and have a clean criminal record. Certain professions, including judges, lawyers, police officers, and clergy, are excluded from serving.

Allan Clifford, chairman of the Viborg Municipality preliminary list committee, expressed hope for a diverse applicant pool that reflects the community's gender, age, ethnic background, education, and employment status, noting that lay judges provide common sense and a regular citizen's perspective to the judicial process.