Ukrainian MPs are trying to shield Supreme Court (SC) judges from scrutiny. The Verkhovna Rada’s Legal Committee has supported draft law 13165-2 — a version even worse than its predecessors 13165 and 13165-1. Experts from the DEJURE Foundation previously emphasised that this new initiative merely imitates integrity checks for SC judges rather than creating a… Continue reading “Don’t Touch the Supreme Court”: MPs Push Forward Draft Law 13165-2
The article was originally published on pravda.com.ua. In 2025, Ukrainians’ distrust of the Supreme Court reached 69%, as shown by a sociological survey conducted by the DEJURE Foundation. Among the main reasons for their negative attitude toward the judicial system, Ukrainians cite corruption, judges’ dependence on politicians and oligarchs, and insufficient judicial integrity. These results… Continue reading The Supreme Court in the shadow of scandals: corruption, obstruction of reform, and a Russian connection
Draft law No. 13165, submitted to Parliament this month by the Cabinet of Ministers, was supposed to be a step toward cleaning up the Supreme Court (SC). But it turned out to be not a genuine reform — rather, a simulation of reform meant to appease the European Commission. While the draft includes some positive… Continue reading A Check “for Show”: Another Attempt to Shield the Supreme Court from Accountability
Judicial reform achievements — cleansing the judiciary, selecting high-integrity candidates, and ensuring declaration transparency — are now at risk of being undone by a series of harmful draft laws. The DEJURE Foundation has compiled a list of the most dangerous legislative initiatives currently under consideration by MPs. These proposals could severely jeopardise the creation of… Continue reading Six Draft Laws from the Parliament: Initiatives That Threaten to Derail Judicial Reform
The Supreme Court (SC), the country’s highest judicial body, has become a systemic threat to judicial reform and European integration. The 2023 corruption scandal involving then-Chief Justice Vsevolod Kniaziev, accused of accepting a $2.7 million bribe, exposed the systemic problems of the SC. The majority of sitting judges on the Court were appointed in 2016-2017… Continue reading Crisis in the Supreme Court: from corruption to institutional sabotage
The Supreme Court continues to hinder judicial reform. In January 2025, the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court overturned a decision by the High Council of Justice (HCJ) that held Serhii Vovk, the notorious judge of the Pechersk District Court, disciplinarily liable. This ruling undermines the legitimacy of handling complaints after the complainant has withdrawn… Continue reading Supreme Court Limits the HCJ’s Powers in Disciplinary Proceedings
The Cassation Administrative Court (acting as a court of first instance) has ruled that information from judges’ and judicial candidates’ family ties and integrity declarations is confidential and allowed authorities to stop updating the relevant open data set. This decision was made in case No. 990/406/24. What is the case about, and why is the… Continue reading Supreme Court Against Transparency: A New Harmful Ruling
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
As of 2025, over 51% of the current judges of the Supreme Court may be of low integrity, according to negative opinions and information from the Public Integrity Council (PIC). Experts from DEJURE Foundation analysed available data on 153 sitting Supreme Court judges. Among them, 34 have received negative opinions of the PIC, while concerning… Continue reading More than 51% of Supreme Court judges raise integrity concerns
The level of distrust among Ukrainians toward the Supreme Court has reached 68.6%. The main reasons cited for the negative perception of the judiciary include corruption, judges’ dependence on politicians and oligarchs, and insufficient integrity. These findings are based on a nationwide survey conducted by DEJURE Foundation in February 2025. According to the survey results,… Continue reading Nearly 69% of Ukrainians do not trust the Supreme Court
