The dismissal of the “coffee lovers” and the retention of a Maidan judge — another week filled with controversial decisions at the High Council of Justice (HCJ). Positive Decisions: The HCJ upheld the decisions of its disciplinary chambers regarding the dismissal of: Three judges of the Kyiv Court of Appeals: Ihor Palenyk, Viktor Hlynianyi, and… Continue reading How Did the Week Go at the High Council of Justice? March 10-14, 2025
The High Council of Justice (HCJ) had an active week, issuing eight positive decisions and two questionable ones. The HCJ upheld the Disciplinary Chambers’ decisions to dismiss the following judges: Pavlo Vovk – Former head of the District Administrative Court of Kyiv (DACK). Vovk and his court became notorious for corruption, issuing knowingly unlawful and… Continue reading How Did the Week Go at the High Council of Justice? March 3-7, 2025
Recently, the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court once again annulled a decision of the High Council of Justice (HCJ). By doing so, the Grand Chamber interfered with a well-founded decision of the HCJ and overstepped the legal limits of its authority. The case concerned judge Oleksandr Hnyp, whom the Third Disciplinary Chamber of the… Continue reading The Supreme Court Exceeds Its Powers and Attempts to Replace the HCJ
On February 20, the High Council of Justice (HCJ) re-elected Hryhorii Usyk as chair for a second term, extending his tenure for another two years. Fourteen HCJ members voted in favor of Usyk, while three abstained from supporting any candidate. The head serving a second term must still work to make the institution more effective.… Continue reading HCJ Re-Elects Hryhorii Usyk as Head for a Second Term
On January 21, the High Council of Justice (HCJ) refused to appoint either of the two candidates proposed by the Selection Commission for a position on the High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ). Oksana Andriychuk received six votes from HCJ members, while Vitalii Kryklyvyi received only one. While neither candidate was flawless, the HCJ members… Continue reading Why Is the HCJ Waiting for the Tenure of International Experts in the Selection Commission to Expire?
On January 22, the Second Disciplinary Chamber (SDC) of the High Council of Justice (HCJ) failed to review a single case from its agenda. The session was blocked by a proposal from HCJ member Serhii Burlakov, who was supported by Serhii Salikhov and Oleksii Melnyk. For the second time in two weeks, the Burlakov-Salikhov duo… Continue reading Legislator Burlakov, or How to Block a Hearing by Citing Imaginary Provisions of the HCJ Law
On January 15, during a session of the Second Disciplinary Chamber, HCJ members Salikhov and Burlakov once again attempted to shield judges from accountability. Among the cases reviewed that day were those of judges Serhii Burkhan and Serhii Vovk. During the hearing on the case of Burkhan, the head of the Verkhnodniprovskyi District Court of… Continue reading HCJ Members Salikhov and Burlakov Manipulate the Law in Case Hearings
On January 14, the High Council of Justice (HCJ) appointed Oleksandra Shulika as a judge, despite her previous visits to Crimea with her family in 2014. Additionally, she had travelled multiple times over the years to visit her grandfather in Russia, who refused to relocate to Ukraine. Only HCJ members Maselko and Kvasha voted against… Continue reading The HCJ appointed Oleksandra Shulika as a judge despite her visits to Crimea and Russia
Vladimir Putin has been vocal in opposing the involvement of international experts in the selection of judges. He expressed this stance just days before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to him, “There is no independent judiciary in Ukraine, and at the West’s request, the Kyiv authorities have handed representatives of international organisations the prevailing… Continue reading Putin – the primary advocate for ending international experts’ participation in judicial selection
The High Council of Justice (HCJ) has granted an honourable resignation to judge Hanna Andrienko, who had delayed nearly fifty cases related to drunk driving. As a result, she will now receive approximately 75,000 UAH per month in pension benefits, along with a one-time severance payment of at least 400,000 UAH. Only HCJ members Kandziuba… Continue reading 400,000 UAH at once and 75,000 UAH monthly: the HCJ grants judge Andrienko an honorable resignation
The High Council of Justice (HCJ) has effectively granted judges with integrity reservations a lifeline to remain in office despite their concerning records. Moreover, it has practically ensured that HCJ members are deemed “decent” for life. On December 17, the HCJ approved the Unified Standards of Integrity and Professional Ethics for Judges and Judicial Candidates.… Continue reading “Perpetual integrity” for judges and HCJ members
On December 19, the High Council of Justice (HCJ) will review two separate matters regarding the dismissal of Hanna Andrienko, a judge of the Oktyabrsky District Court of Poltava. The first concerns her dismissal following a recommendation from the High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ), as she failed to pass the qualification assessment. The second… Continue reading The Supreme Court ordered the HCJ to consider judge Andrienko’s resignation
