Review of candidates' scientific works in university professorship appointment proceedings: Committee obligations and admissibility of appeal

The Federal Administrative Court (BVerwG) granted leave for appeal to the applicant in a professorial appointment procedure, thereby allowing the case to proceed to full appellate review on the merits. The dispute concerned a candidate for a university professorship who challenged the appointment process, specifically focusing on whether the selection committee had properly evaluated the scientific works submitted by the applicant. The Court held that the issue of what obligations selection committees have to review and consider the scientific publications of candidates in professorial recruitment proceedings is of fundamental legal significance, warranting clarification by the full court under § 132 Abs. 2 Nr. 1 VwGO. Consequently, the prior lower court decision was not affirmed or overturned on the merits by this interlocutory order, but the case was opened up for re-examination at the revision stage to address these procedural duties.