Judgment_paragraph 55 · Financijska agencija v Hann-Invest d.o.o. and Others (C-554/21)

55In the second place, bearing in mind the inextricable links which exist between the guarantees of judicial independence and judicial impartiality as well as that of access to a tribunal previously established by law (see, to that effect, judgment of 21 December 2023, Krajowa Rada Sądownictwa (Continued holding of a judicial office), C‑718/21, EU:C:2023:1015, paragraph 59 and the case-law cited), the second subparagraph of Article 19(1) TEU also requires the existence of a tribunal ‘previously established by law’. That phrase, which reflects, inter alia, the principle of the rule of law, concerns not only the legal basis for the very existence of the court concerned, but also the composition of the bench in each case (see, to that effect, judgments of 26 March 2020, Review Simpson v Council and HG v Commission, C‑542/18 RX-II and C‑543/18 RX-II, EU:C:2020:232, paragraph 73, and of 22 March 2022, Prokurator Generalny (Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court – Appointment), C‑508/19, EU:C:2022:201, paragraph 73). That principle means, inter alia, that it is only the judicial panel responsible for the case that is to take the decision closing the proceedings.