How did the week go at the High Council of Justice? June 9-13, 2025

The final dismissal of a judge suspected of corruption, a submission for the dismissal of a collaborator, and the suspension of a judge who seized an apartment — this week, the High Council of Justice demonstrated its capability and resolve. However, new threats are emerging: Parliament is pushing forward an initiative that could destroy the system of judicial disciplinary accountability. Details in the digest.

Dismissed:

Valentyn Tomylko — judge of the Poltava Court of Appeal

Decision: final dismissal (loss of judicial status and benefits)

The HCJ ended the career of a judge exposed for abusing his powers for personal gain. Valentyn Tomylko, along with judges Serhii Halionkin and Nataliia Kliuchko, tried to influence a colleague who was hearing a drunk driving case involving Tomylko’s own son.

In addition, $600, possibly a bribe related to the case, was found in Tomylko’s office. The Third Disciplinary Chamber of the HCJ initiated a motion for dismissal, which the High Council supported and has now officially stripped Tomylko of his judicial robe.

Submitted for dismissal:

Vitalii Lomeiko — judge of the Chernihiv District Court of Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Decision: the Third Disciplinary Chamber of the HCJ submitted Lomeiko for dismissal

DEJURE Foundation lawyers initiated the disciplinary case against the judge who chose to serve Russia rather than Ukraine. Lomeiko:

• remained in the temporarily occupied territory,

• obtained Russian citizenship,

• participates in the occupiers’ pseudo-judicial bodies,

• seeks a career in the aggressor state’s system.

The State Bureau of Investigation has opened a criminal case for treason. The 3rd Disciplinary Chamber of the HCJ submitted the judge for dismissal. The final decision is up to the full composition of the HCJ.

Suspended from administering justice:

Ihor Kondrashov — judge of the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Dnipro

Decision: suspended until a verdict is rendered or the criminal case is closed

Judge Kondrashov rented an apartment in central Dnipro but didn’t pay rent for six months. Instead of negotiating with the owner, he presented a forged receipt for payment, a fake purchase agreement, and filed a civil lawsuit, which he won in absentia, without the owner’s participation. The ruling was issued by judge Serhii Yedamenko, also without summoning the owner.

DEJURE Foundation had earlier filed a complaint against Kondrashov. However, disciplinary proceedings have not yet been opened. We call on the disciplinary inspector assigned to the case not to delay and to prepare a conclusion within the timeframe prescribed by law. Lack of response is tantamount to condoning judicial fraud.

This week, the HCJ showed it can be effective. But the future of such decisions is at risk — a draft law has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada that would dismantle the mechanisms for holding judges disciplinarily accountable. The initiative comes from the head of the Legal Policy Committee, Denys Maslov, and a group of MPs. If the law passes:

• it will become nearly impossible to punish judges for drunk driving, bribery, or even collaboration with the occupiers,

• the HCJ will lose the ability to dismiss judges for clear breaches of ethics and oath,

• judges will be allowed to lie in asset declarations without fear of consequences.

The DEJURE Foundation urges lawmakers not to allow the adoption of this dangerous draft law. Dismantling disciplinary accountability would throw Ukraine back to the times of judicial impunity and mutual cover-ups.