EU welcomes adoption of laws crucial for judicial reform

“The European Union welcomes that Ukraine took a decisive step this week towards comprehensive reform of the judiciary aiming at restoring the public and investors’ trust in the justice system. In the last few days, the Ukrainian Parliament adopted two crucial pieces of legislation that foresee a transparent re-establishment of the High Qualification Commission of Judges and an integrity assessment of the current and future members of the High Council of Justice - two key judicial governance bodies in Ukraine,” reads the statement by the EU’s Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the adoption of judiciary-related legislation in Ukraine, released on July 15.

As noted, international experts will have a temporary but decisive role in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission in both of these reforms.

“The European Union has decisively supported the preparation of these reform laws and will provide all the necessary assistance to ensure their successful implementation. It will not only allow renewal of the judicial system, strengthening the rule of law and better protection of fundamental rights in Ukraine, but will also reinforce the strategic, multi-dimensional partnership between the EU and Ukraine,” the Spokesperson underscored.

On July 13, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Judiciary and the Status of Judges’ and Some Laws of Ukraine on the Resumption of Work of the High Qualifications Commission of Judges of Ukraine”.

In addition, on July 14, the Verkhovna Rada passed the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Concerning the Procedure of Election (Appointment) to the Positions of Members of the High Council of Justice and Activities of Disciplinary Inspectors of the High Council of Justice”.

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