Problems in the work of the HQCJ and HCJ are being investigated by a temporary investigative commission of the Verkhovna Rada

A number of problems have been identified in the activities of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine and the High Council of Justice, which, according to experts, may pose a threat to the judicial process and the principles of integrity of the judicial system.

These issues were identified by an expert group attached to the Verkhovna Rada's temporary investigation commission on the investigation of possible corruption or corruption-related offences in law enforcement agencies, courts and judicial authorities, based on the results of monitoring publications.

The relevant conclusions were announced by the chairman of the group, member of the UNBA human rights Committee Igor Fomin during a meeting of the TSC on October 7. Among the threats identified are conflicts of interest, lack of transparency in competitive procedures, shortcomings in the qualification assessment of judges, and failure to respond adequately to internal problems.

The chairman of the TIC Serhiy Vlasenko stressed that the spread of scandals in the media related to the activities of the HQCJ, the HCJ and the Public council of integrity negatively affects the level of public trust in the judiciary and undermines the authority of the judicial system and judicial reform, which should be based on the principles of integrity and transparency.

The MP informed the TIC members about the existence of information that may indicate a possible corruption component in the activities of members of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine during the selection of judges for positions in the courts of appeal. He drew attention to the significant number of public statements and reports received from participants in the competition for positions in the courts of appeal, as well as to media publications containing information about possible violations.

In connection with the above, the temporary investigation commission noted the need to send an appeal to the President of Ukraine.

We would like to remind you that recently Bar Council of Ukraine appealed to the High Council of Justice with a request to open disciplinary proceedings against members of the High Qualification Commission of Judges Roman Sabodash and Ruslan Sidorovich for violating the guarantees of legal practice during an interview with an advocate as part of the competition for positions of judges of administrative courts of appeal.