Ukrainian president signs key judicial reform bills into law

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed into law bill No. 3711-D introducing amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On the Judiciary and the Status of Judges" and some laws of Ukraine relaunching the work of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine (HQCJ), according to the Ukrainian parliament's website.

The document stipulates that the first composition of the competition commission for the selection of HQCJ members begins its work following the appointment of at least four commission members, with two of them nominated by international and foreign organizations. The decision of the first composition of the competition commission is deemed adopted if voted for by at least four members of the competition commission, with two of them nominated by international and foreign organizations. If the number of votes "for" and "against" is equal, the votes of three members of the competition commission, with two of them nominated by international and foreign organizations, are crucial.

The head of state also signed into law bill No. 5068 "On the Introduction of Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Concerning the Procedure for Election to the Positions of Members of the High Council of Justice and Activities of Disciplinary Inspectors of the High Council of Justice," which envisages reform of the HCJ.

The document provides for a review of the integrity of HCJ members and changes the procedure for bringing judges to disciplinary liability. The law also proposes a crucial role for international experts in the selection of HCJ members. Among other things, the law establishes the procedure for the creation and operation of the Ethics Council, which within three months from the date of approval of its staff will assess the compliance of HCJ members, except for the Supreme Court head, who were elected before the entry into force of the document, with professional ethics and integrity criteria. Based on the results of such an assessment, the Ethics Council may decide to make a reasoned recommendation to the relevant body that elected an HCJ member regarding his or her dismissal.

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