Who will select judges of the Constitutional Court? The Cabinet of Ministers appointed international experts, with two more Ukrainian experts to come

On October 13, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to an esteemed panel of international experts tasked with selecting judges for the Constitutional Court. The distinguished experts include:

• Hanna Suchocka, the 5th Prime Minister of Poland and honorary president of the Venice Commission.
• Aleš Zalar, former Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia.
• Maureen O’Connor, an American lawyer, retired judge, and former President of the United States Conference of Chief Justices.

Their deputies were also appointed:

• Marek Zubik, a Polish jurist.
• Richard Barrett, a member of the Venice Commission representing Ireland.
• Thomas B. Griffith, an American scientist and former federal judge.

We express gratitude to our international partners for actively contributing to the reform process and ensuring impartiality in their deliberations. It’s noteworthy that these experts will hold a prevailing vote during decision-making.

Simultaneously, Ukrainian representatives are also actively involved in the process. For example, the Council of Judges has delegated Yaroslav Romanyuk, the former head of the Supreme Court of Ukraine during Yanukovych’s era, who had previously endorsed the controversial “January 16” laws. Additionally, judge Volodymyr Kuzmenko, featured in the “Vovk’s tapes,” was selected as his deputy.

The Verkhovna Rada and the President are yet to finalise their appointments to the Advisory Group of Experts. The outcome, whether the Constitutional Court emerges as an independent body or leans towards being a “manual” institution making government-friendly decisions on critical matters like elections during wartime, reintegration of occupied territories, and European integration, hinges significantly on these appointments.

It is crucial to recall that the undue influence of Ukrainian representatives delegated by non-reformed bodies, such as the Council of Judges, in similar competitive commissions has earlier resulted in unfounded decisions and the closing of broadcasts of the competition.