Trial of the system: will Pavlo Vovk return to the bench?

The decisive hearing of the Supreme Court on the reinstatement of Pavlo Vovk as a judge is approaching. The decision regarding the scandalous former head of the District Administrative Court of Kyiv (DACK) was expected to be announced back in January, but was postponed until April 9.

Vovk is challenging the admissibility of evidence from criminal proceedings, in particular wiretaps recorded in his office, in the disciplinary case against him. It was precisely these recordings — on which Vovk discusses plans to seize control over the judiciary and exert unlawful influence on other judges — that formed the basis for his dismissal.

According to our information, the risk of Vovk’s reinstatement is quite high, especially in the absence of public attention. At the hearing on January 29, judges of the Grand Chamber were already prepared to adopt a decision but ultimately postponed it until April 9. During this time, Vovk may have mobilized his connections to secure votes in his favor. In March, judge Olha Stupak returned to the Grand Chamber. She adds one vote in support of Vovk, as she has previously opposed the use of pre-trial investigation materials in disciplinary proceedings. Earlier, an investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine established that Stupak had provided false information in her asset declarations. She failed to disclose a house near Kyiv, misrepresented the origin of funds used to purchase it and a BMW X5. However, she avoided criminal liability after the Constitutional Court abolished liability for illicit enrichment and false asset declarations.

If Pavlo Vovk succeeds in gathering enough votes and is reinstated, this could allow more than 50 judges suspected or accused of crimes to remain in office. The High Council of Justice has submitted motions to dismiss such judges, including six other judges from the now-liquidated District Administrative Court of Kyiv.

It is worth recalling what this “cancer” in Ukraine’s judicial system represents:

• Pavlo Vovk and six other judges of the District Administrative Court of Kyiv are accused of creating a criminal organisation aimed at taking control over key judicial governance bodies. Recordings reveal Vovk and his colleagues openly discussing corrupt schemes, influence over state institutions, and the cynical capture of control over the judiciary.
• This court prepared decisions intended to legitimise the return of Yanukovych to power in 2022. Its judges were part of a plan to facilitate the capture of Kyiv by Russian forces.
• The court banned peaceful protests during the Revolution of Dignity and legitimised the use of force against peaceful demonstrators.
• Judges of this court helped corrupt officials evade accountability and enabled pro-Russian forces to maintain their influence.

The reinstatement of scandalous judges has, unfortunately, become routine for the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court. We have repeatedly warned about the risk of reinstating pro-Russian judge Inna Otrosh, who justified the occupation of Crimea. Once public attention faded, she was quietly returned to the bench—along with all associated privileges.

Attend the hearing: April 9 (Thursday), 11:00, at 4a Pylypa Orlyka Street, Kyiv, Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court.

We urge you to help raise awareness and prevent the return of Pavlo Vovk—and with him, around 50 judges facing dismissal based on criminal case materials. A decision in Vovk’s favour will effectively allow all of them to remain on the bench.