The High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ) has called the searches conducted by the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) at the Commission’s premises and the residence of Oleksii Omelian “pressure” on the body. The reason is the alleged interference with the organ’s information systems during the qualification assessment of judges in the summer of 2024.… Continue reading To Save Low-Integrity Judges: The Judicial Mafia Tries to Pressure the High Qualification Commission of Judges
Over the past 16 months, the High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ) has completed the qualification assessment of 265 judges. Out of 111 negative opinions that the Commission has reviewed definitively, in two cases, the HQCJ upheld the Public Integrity Council’s (PIC) findings during the qualification assessment. Additionally, the Commission recommended the dismissal of 46… Continue reading Judges of Low Integrity Remain in Office Despite HQCJ’s Findings
The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has conducted searches at the High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ), as reported by Dzerkalo Tyzhnia. The likely reason is the alleged interference of HQCJ members in the information system. The search is ongoing, and the SBI may seize either the servers for examination or specific materials from judicial… Continue reading SBI Raids the High Qualification Commission of Judges
It has been 15 months since the High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ) and the Public Integrity Council (PIC) began their joint work on cleansing the judiciary. In January 2025, the pace of HQCJ interviews slowed due to the winter holidays, so here are the results of the February 2025 qualification assessment: 142 judges… Continue reading 15 Months of Qualification Assessment: HQCJ Retains 61 Judges with Negative Opinions of the Public Integrity Council
The Selection Commission has announced a new competition for a position on the High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ) after the High Council of Justice (HCJ) refused to appoint the candidates recommended in the previous selection process. The vacancy in HQCJ arose following the voluntary resignation of former member Roman Ihnatov. Only judges and retired… Continue reading Selection Commission Announces New Competition for HQCJ Member
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?
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
Thirteen months have passed since the High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ) and the Public Integrity Council (PIC) began their joint effort to cleanse the judiciary: 125 judges (55.8%) successfully passed the qualification assessment and remain in their positions. 42 judges (18.8%) were recommended for dismissal by the HQCJ to the High Council of Justice… Continue reading 13 months of the qualification assessment: 45% of judges found unfit by the PIC were dismissed
Last week, the High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ) took an important first step in addressing the long-standing issue of granting the Public Integrity Council (PIC) and the Public Council of International Experts (PCIE) proper access to judges’ dossiers. The HQCJ approved a draft amendment to its internal regulations, allowing the PIC and PCIE to… Continue reading The HQCJ takes steps to improve access to judges’ dossiers for the PIC and PCIE
The High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ) and the Public Integrity Council (PIC) have issued a joint statement regarding qualification assessment. Key points of the agreement include: The PIC will withdraw its negative opinions for judges Haiovyi, Hukova, Burda, Shcherbak, Khardina, Kvasha, Rybka, and Smorodina. The PIC will swiftly develop and implement a comprehensive set… Continue reading HQCJ and PIC reach agreement: joint statement
Remember Olena Ponomarenko, the former head of the Secretariat of the High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ), who was recently dismissed? Previously, civil society had raised concerns about her potential abuse of authority and subpar performance. Despite this, Ponomarenko refuses to relinquish her position and has filed a lawsuit in the Kyiv District Administrative Court… Continue reading How to (not) hold on to a position: insights from the eternal head of the HQCJ Secretariat, Ponomarenko
Tomorrow, November 26, the Second Panel of the High Qualification Commission of Judges (composed of Volkova, Sydorovych, and Kydysiuk) plans to conduct qualification assessments for four more judges without the involvement of the Public Integrity Council (PIC). Last week, the same panel deemed judges Shkarlat and Chubai fit for their positions despite the absence of… Continue reading Second Panel of the HQCJ to conduct qualification assessments for four judges without Public Integrity Council involvement
