Lia Savonea

Lia Savonea (née Fier Știop) is a Romanian judge and jurist who serves as president of the High Court of Cassation and Justice,^[2] as well as a member of the Superior Council of Magistracy (Consiliul Superior al Magistraturii, CSM). Savonea is a prominent figure in Romania's judicial system and has been the subject of significant public debate and controversy regarding judicial independence and governance.

Lia Savonea pursued legal studies in Romania and entered the judiciary following graduation in 1997, advancing through the ranks of the court system. She has held several senior judicial positions during her career, serving as President of the Bucharest Court of Appeal before being elected as a member of the Superior Council of Magistracy. Savonea became President of the High Court of Cassation and Justice in 2023, Romania's highest court.^[3]

In 2025, Savonea was prominently featured in the investigative documentary Captured Justice (Justiție capturată), produced by the Romanian website Recorder. The documentary alleges the existence of systemic practices within the judiciary that allow high-profile defendants to evade criminal accountability through procedural delays, case reassignment, and the expiration of statutes of limitation. Savonea is cited as one of the judicial leaders alleged to have played a role in enabling or overseeing such practices.^[4]

The documentary triggered widespread public debate and protests across Romania, with demonstrators calling for judicial reform and increased accountability within the judiciary. Critics have accused Savonea of contributing to the concentration of power within the judicial system and undermining public trust in justice. Further, both protesters and some magistrates have demanded Lia Savonea's resignation from the magistracy.^[5] The Superior Council of Magistracy responded by condemning what it described as coordinated efforts to undermine confidence in the justice system. Meanwhile, Nicusor Dan, the president of Romania has made public that he shares worries on the proper functioning of the justice system.^[6]

Savonea has rejected these allegations, stating that the claims presented in the documentary are misleading and constitute an attack on the independence of the judiciary. She has argued that criticism directed at judicial leadership represents an attempt to politicize justice and weaken institutional authority.^[7]

Former judge Cristi Danileț publicly called for Savonea's resignation following a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights which found that disciplinary sanctions imposed against him in 2019 violated his right to freedom of expression. Danileț and others have argued that the case illustrates broader issues related to judicial governance under Savonea's leadership.^[8]