Sub-score (0-100). Question no. 3. In practice, national-level judge appointments (justices or magistrates) support the independence of the judiciary.

A 100 score is earned where all the following conditions are met:
1) national-level judges are chosen through a merit-based selection system,
2) they have security of tenure, and
3) they are disciplined/removed/transferred only through due process by a peer panel/independent oversight body.

A 50 score is earned where any of the following conditions apply:
1) national-level judges are occasionally appointed without following a merit-based selection system,
2) some judges are denied the security of tenure, or
3) occasionally judges are disciplined/removed/transferred without due process or the peer panel/independent oversight body occasionally includes representatives of the executive or legislative branches.

A 0 score is earned where at least one of the following conditions apply:
1) there's a merit-based selection system but it fails to require basic skills (ex. legal education, litigation experience, etc.) or is so weak that individuals with less merit are usually appointed over those with more merit,
2) there is no security of tenure, or
3) the due process usually involves the Executive or Legislative branches.