December 15, 2023
10:00 – 11:00
National News Agency of Ukraine “Ukrinform”, 8/16 Bohdan Khmelnytsky Str., Kyiv, Ukraine, 01001.
The High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine (HQCJ) invites media representatives to participate in a press conference on December 15, 2023, to announce the launch of an open competition to fill more than 500 vacant positions of appellate judges.
The HQCJ is a judicial body that selects judges and plays a crucial role in implementing judicial reform and accelerating Ukraine’s European integration processes. After all, the right to fair and accessible justice is a key European democratic and human value.
Currently, more than 500 judicial positions are vacant in the system of appellate courts, with a staffing shortage of more than 50%.
On questions from journalists will answer:
- Roman Ihnatov, the Chairman of the HQCJ
- Liudmyla Volkova, the member of the HQCJ
- Serhii Chumak, the Secretary of the Second Chamber, member of the HQCJ
The meeting will be moderated by Oksana Zhurba, editor of Yurydychna Hazeta (Legal Newspaper).
Accreditation of media representatives is mandatory and available at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4wZ--b-CMrlzx-lGHkzfy-bJg7ohYQE-eZe3GZzSD25G0Uw/viewform
Speakers will focus on the following issues:
- Why do we need to select judges to the appellate courts?
Currently, more than 500 judicial positions are vacant in the system of appellate courts – the staffing shortage is more than 50%. No judge has been appointed to the courts of appeal in the last 10 years.
In order to overcome the catastrophic staffing shortage in the system of appellate courts and to meet the fair demand of society for the selection of honest judges, the new composition of the HQCJ, which was elected for the first time in the history of Ukraine in an open competition six months ago, announces the start of an unprecedented open competition to fill vacant positions of appellate judges, which will begin on December 15.
- What will change in the procedure for selecting judges?
The main difference of this selection will be that for the first time, an open competition to fill the vacant positions of appellate court judges will be held with the participation of civil society, namely the Public Integrity Council. Previously, appellate judges were appointed by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine exclusively from among serving judges under a non-transparent, politicized procedure.
- How will transparency of the evaluation criteria be ensured?
The HQCJ aims to select the very best judges for the appellate courts, assessing not only the professionalism of the future judge, but also his/her integrity. Understanding that participation in the competition requires a significant investment of time and effort by candidates, the HQCJ has a clear position: the candidates will be evaluated in accordance with transparent, clear and unambiguous criteria, fairly and impartially.
For questions regarding registration or organization of the event, please contact: tel. (044) 233 63 76, (067) 577 96 89; e-mail: iryna.k@be-centric.com