Pavlo Vovk will NOT become a judge of the Supreme Court. The High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ) recognised him as unsuitable for the position
Pavlo Vovk did not appear for his qualification assessment for the second time, and the HQCJ decided that he was unfit for the position of judge of the Administrative Court of Cassation within the Supreme Court due to his non-appearance.
Previously, Pavlo Vovk wanted to become a judge of the Supreme Court, so this qualification assessment took place precisely in relation to the competition for the Supreme Court. Therefore, it will not result in his dismissal. But do not sigh in disappointment – this decision of the HQCJ is still indicative. If today the HQCJ decided on his compliance, Vovk would use this to avoid further assessment.
Who helped Mr Vovk organise this qualification assessment, which, according to his plan, should have helped him avoid dismissal? In a decision dated October 28, 2021, the Administrative Court of Cassation within the Supreme Court obliged the HQCJ to resume the procedure. Kudos to Mykhailo Smokovych, Head of the Administrative Court of Cassation within the Supreme Court. Read more about how this proceeding was opened in the conditions of the expired deadlines.
Following the full-scale invasion on July 28, 2022, the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court upheld the decision unchanged, and it became legally binding. The newly established HQCJ, not yet formed at that time, was tasked with executing it (conducting a qualification assessment).
However, upon recognising the Commission’s new composition, Vovk realised that circumstances were not in his favour. Today, he took every measure to obstruct the assessment. Through his lawyers, he filed motions for the recusal of most HQCJ members and the entire Commission. Fortunately, the plan failed – the Commission systematically rejected the recusal of each present member.
What’s next? The “main” vetting on compliance with the current position lies ahead. Based on its outcomes, there might be a recommendation from the HQCJ for dismissal, leading to a final decision by the High Council of Justice (HCJ).
