Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire for US Supreme Court nominee

28/05/2009

How does one become an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court ? What should one expect during a� confirmation hearing before the US Senate? On 27 May, Chairman Patrick Leahy and Ranking Member Jeff Sessions released the bipartisan questionnaire that the Senate Judiciary Committee has asked Judge Sonia Sotomayor to complete in connection with her nomination to be an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Also part of the process is a peer review conducted by the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary (FJC), which evaluates the professional qualifications of all nominees to the Supreme Court of the United States, circuit courts of appeals, district courts (including territorial district courts) and the Court of International Trade. Sometimes the committee is asked to testify at a confirmation hearing of the US Senate Judiciary Committee and provide written submissions. It makes fascinating reading.

**28 May 2009 **