LUXEMBOURG — The European Court of Justice on Thursday ruled against Poland in a long-running dispute over its judicial reforms, finding that changes to judicial appointments breached European Union law. The court's grand chamber issued the binding judgment in Luxembourg.

The case stems from years of conflict between Brussels and successive Polish governments over the independence of the judiciary. The European Commission argued that reforms undermined the separation of powers, while Warsaw maintained the changes fell within national competence.

The ruling addressed the composition of Poland's National Council of the Judiciary and the disciplinary regime for judges. Judges at the court held that the contested arrangements failed to guarantee the effective judicial protection required under the EU treaties.

Poland's government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, has pledged to restore judicial independence but has faced obstruction from President Karol Nawrocki. European Commission officials said the judgment would guide the release of remaining recovery funds tied to rule-of-law conditions.

A European Commission spokesperson said the institution would study the judgment and expected Poland to implement it in full without delay.