The constitutional Court is composed of nine members, appointed for a nine-year term, without the right of being reelected. The constitutional judges are appointed by the President of the Republic, with the consent of the Assembly. One-third of the composition of the Constitutional Court is renewed every three years, according to the procedure determined by law.

The members of the Constitutional Court of Albania should be lawyers, Albanian citizens well known for their professional abilities. They should have a minimum of 10 years of experience in their profession as lawyers, or as law professors in the Law Faculty. They should have a high moral reputation.

The President of the Constitutional Court is appointed for a 3-year term from the ranks of its members by the President of the Republic with the consent of the Assembly. He has the right to be re-elected (article 125 of the Constitution).

A judge of the Constitutional Court continues in office until the appointment of his successor.

1. The mandate of a judge of the Constitutional Court ends when:

a. he/she is sentenced by a final court decision for commission of a crime;

b. he/she fails to appear for duty, without reason, for more than 6 months;

c. he/she reaches 70 years of age;

ç. he/she resigns;

d. he/she is declared incapable of acting by a final court decision.

1. Dr. Vladimir Kristo, President of the Constitutional Court

Born on 08.04.1947, in Korça. Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Tirana University, in 1969. During 1969-1983, performed several duties at the organs of justice in Shkodra and Tirana. Was Chief of the Studies’ Department at the General Attorney’s Office, during 1983-1992. Took the scientific degree “Candidate of Science” in 1990 and the Doctors’ Degree in the field of law, in 1994. Was appointed as Deputy Minister of Justice, during 1992-1996. Performed the duty of the Chief of the Central Election Commission for the local elections of 1992 and the referendum for the Constitution in 1994. Was a member of the High Council of Justice and a member of the Coordination and Legal Cooperation Committee of the Council of Europe. In May 1996, was appointed as Legal Advisor of the Prime Minister. For more than 20 years, has worked as a part-time professor of various subjects of law at the highest educational country institutions. During 1998 – 2005, exercised the profession of lawyer, private legal counselor, etc.  In 2005, was appointed as Deputy Minister of Justice. In April 2007, was appointed as a member of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Albania and, since June 2007, performs the duty of the President of this Court. Co-author and opponent in the drafting process of different legal textbooks in the field of law and public administration. Has written a considerable number of articles and studies in the fields of law, which were published in Albanian and international magazines. Has actively participated in several round tables and conferences focusing on the issues of the organization of justice in Albania.

 2. Dr. Gjergji Sauli, Member

Born on 27.12.1938, in Korça. Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Tirana University, in 1960. During 1960 – 1968, worked as a judge at Korça District Court. During 1969 – 1975, performed the duty of the Chairman of Pogradeci District Court. During 1976 – 1982, worked as specialist and, afterward, as the Head of the Department of Legal Issues at the Supreme Court. During 1983 –1993, worked as a member and, later on, as the Head of Juridical Bureau at the Council of the Ministers. During 1993 – 2001, worked as a lawyer. In 2001, was appointed as a member of the Constitutional Court and, during 2004-2007, performed the duty of the President of Constitutional Court. Has been a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Tirana University, and at the School of Magistrates in Tirana. Was the author of a monographic and several scientific articles and speeches of legal character. In 1985, took the title ‘Candidate of Legal Sciences” and, in 1994, the title “Doctor of Legal Sciences.” Was awarded “The Work Order of the First Class” and the Golden Decoration “For Special Civil Merits.”

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3. Dr. Fehmi Abdiu, Member

Born on 05.01.1944, in Dibra. Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Tirana University, in 1966. Performed the duties of judge and Chairman of Fieri District Court and, later on, the duty of the Chairman of Tirana District Court. In 1985, was appointed as member and, afterward, as Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Was deputy of the People’s Assembly in three legislatures and performed the functions of the Head of Commission of Mandates, Commission of Legal and Constitutional Issues and was member of the Parliamentary Commission on draft Constitution. Was the author of some studies published in the books: “Politics in view of Constitution and laws”, “General outlook on the criminal acts committed by citizens against the state activity”, “The Constitution and the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Albania”, “On the Constitution, law and democracy,” “Civil lawsuit in the Albanian criminal court trial.” Since 1998 and at present, he performs the duty of the member of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Albania. During 1998 – 2004, was the President of this Court. Was awarded the “Golden Naim Frashëri Order”.

4. Kujtim Puto, Member

Born on 21.07.1949, in Gjirokastra. Graduated as lawyer from the Faculty of Law, Tirana University, in 1971. Performed the duties of “legal advisor” and “judge” at Gjirokastra District Court and the duty of the Deputy Chief of Durresi District Court. For a period of 10 years worked as Specialist and Director at the Directory of Legality at the Assembly and at the Presidency of the People’s Assembly. Was professor of the Constitutional Law at the Academy of Public Order and at the Faculty of Law, Tirana University. Worked as lawyer during 1992-1998. Since April 1998, he performs the duty of the member of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Albania.  

5. Petrit Plloçi, Member

Born on 02.12.1958, in Mat. Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Tirana University, in 1983. Worked at the District Courts of Dibra, Shkodra and Mat, as well as at the Department of Codification at the Ministry of Justice. During 1993 – 2000, was member of the Supreme Court. Has given his contribution to the compilation of the Civil Code. Has been a member of the Albanian Judges’ Association and of the High Council of Justice. Since 2001, he performs the duty of the member of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Albania.

6. Prof. As. Dr. Xhezair Zaganjori, Member

Born on 09.03.1957, in Shkodra. Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Tirana University, in 1981. Since this year, has been a lecturer of the International Public Law, European Law and the Human Rights Law at the Faculty of Law, Tirana University, School of Magistrates and the School of European Studies, in Tirana. During 1992 – 1997, was the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania in the Federal Republic of Germany. In 1993, took the scientific degree “Doctor of Legal Sciences” and, in 2002, “Associated Professor” degree. Was a scientific researcher at the Max-Planck Institute, Heidelberg. In 1991, was selected as member of the Court of Arbitration and Reconciliation near OSCE seat in Vienna. Author of several scientific publications published in Albania and elsewhere. Has actively participated in different International Congresses and Conferences held in Albania and abroad. Since 2003, he performs the duty of the member of Constitutional Court of the Republic of Albania.

 7. Dr. Vitore Tusha, Member

Born on 26.11.1960 in Tirana. Graduated in 1983 at the Faculty of Law. From 1983 until 1990, performed the duty of bailif at Tirana District Court and after that, until 1992 exercised the profession of the lawyer. During 1992-1994 performed the duty of judge of Tirana District Court and during 1994-2001 the duty of judge of Cassation Court. During 1999-2001 performed the duty of Head of the Civil College of this Court. In 1997 received the Doctor’s Degree in the field of law. In 2004 is elected as vice-president of the National Chamber of Advocacy. From 1986 and following is a lecturer of Civil Law and Procedural Civil Law at the Faculty of Law and School of Magistrates. Co-author in the drafting process of the textbook Civil Law. Has participated in the process of composition of different bills. Since March 2008 she performes the duty of the member of the Constitutional Court.

8. Dr. Sokol Sadushi, Member

Born on 27.07.1963, in Vlora. Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Tirana University, in 1986. Exercised the legal profession, working initially as prosecutor and, afterward, as lawyer. Is a lecturer of the Administrative Law at the Faculty of Law and the School of Magistrates in Tirana. Carried out post-graduate studies in the field of constitutional law and took the degree “Master in Justice”. Author of many researching works and articles in the field of administrative law, constitutional law and human rights law. Has published the books “Administrative Law” – series of lectures – “Administrative Law 2, Theory of administrative act”, “Constitutional Review”. Co-author in the books “Commentary on the Code of Administrative Procedures”, “Administrative Guide for Local Government Units”, “Comparative Outlook on Civil Procedure”. In 2006, took the scientific degree “Doctor of Legal Sciences”. Since 1998, he performs the duty of the member of Constitutional Court of the Republic of Albania.

9. Sokol Berberi, Member

Born on 07.01.1967, in Cairo. After his graduation from the Faculty of Law, Tirana University, worked at the organs of justice in Tepelena. During 1991-1997, performed the duty of the Legal Adviser at the Parliamentary Commissions and, in 1998, was appointed as the Legal Adviser at the Chairmanship of the Assembly. He has given his contribution to the preparation of the draft Constitution in 1998. In 1999, was one of the founders of the Center for Parliamentary Studies and carried out the duty of the coordinator for the publishing of its journal. Since 1997, he is a professor at the Faculty of Law and at the School of Magistrates. Is a lecturer of the Constitutional Law since 2003. During 2000-2005, worked as a lawyer and took the Master Degree. Has taken part in a series of projects in the quality of legal expert, training pedagogue in the field of law etc. Author of different books in the field of Constitutional Law. Since April, he performs the duty of the member of Constitutional Court of the Republic of Albania.