Judicial Reform

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted to parliament a bill on judicial reform, which provides for the restoration of the High Qualification Commission of Judges. MPs supported the document in the first and second readings on March 3 and June 30, respectively. However, just a week later, Zelenskyy vetoed the signing of the law.

On July 13, the Verkhovna Rada again adopted the bill on judicial reform, taking into account new amendments. People's deputies tried to block the signing of the law by the president, but on August 3, Volodymyr Zelenskyy did sign it.

In addition to the creation of the HQCJ, the judicial reform also provides for the formation of an Ethics Council, which is to vet all members and candidates for the High Qualification Commission for integrity. It is to consist of 6 people. Half of its members are appointed by international experts, the other three under the quota of the Council of Judges of Ukraine.

And while the international experts have already decided on their candidates, the Council of Judges of Ukraine failed to elect 3 members of the Ethics Council during the vote on September 13. Thus, the judicial reform was blocked.