Competition for the Constitutional Court under the Congress of Judges’ quota — a lack of qualified candidates, again
Another setback on the path to filling vacancies at the Constitutional Court of Ukraine: the Advisory Group of Experts has completed its assessment of the candidates’ professional competence and did not recommend either of the two candidates who had recently passed the integrity screening. In othe...
How the High Council of Justice allows judges of low integrity to leave office with lifelong payments
In some cases, the High Council of Justice (HCJ) continues a practice that allows judges of low integrity to avoid accountability while simultaneously receiving generous lifelong payments from the state budget. This concerns the retirement of judges against whom disciplinary complaints — or even o...
A dubious competition and a predictable finale: Pampura appointed Head of the State Judicial Administration
Questionable candidates once again take up key positions. As we predicted, on 22 December, the High Council of Justice appointed Maksym Pampura as Head of the State Judicial Administration (SJA). Twelve members of the HCJ voted in favour; only Kandziuba, Kravchenko, and Maselko voted against. This d...
Ukraine risks losing hundreds of millions of euros from the EU due to the failure to adopt key judicial reform laws
Ukraine will receive €2.3 billion in financial assistance under the Ukraine Facility programme. However, this is only part of the funds the state could have counted on if all commitments had been fulfilled. Approximately €700 million has remained unavailable for several months due to the failure...
A corruption taint is no obstacle: the High Council of Justice plans to appoint the head of the State Judicial Administration
The competition for the position of Head of the State Judicial Administration has demonstrated that integrity is not a decisive criterion for the High Council of Justice, despite Ukraine’s commitments to the European Union. On 22 December, the High Council of Justice (HCJ) plans to select a new He...
The European Commission demands Bar reform, but there is no progress — presentation of the Bar Reform Roadmap
Over the past three years, the European Commission has repeatedly emphasised the need to reform the Ukrainian Bar. As of the beginning of this year, Ukraine had around 70,000 practising attorneys. In addition, the Bar has a significant influence on the establishment of the rule of law within the jus...