Chairman of the High Council of Justice outlined the key areas of reforming the judicial system
On May 26–28, 2025, the National School of Judges of Ukraine held training sessions to maintain the qualification of the senior staff of local courts and courts of appeal, the High Anti-Corruption Court, and courts of cassation within the Supreme Court.
The Chairman of the High Council of Justice Hryhorii Usyk gave a speech on the topic “The High Council of Justice – a strategy for reforming the judicial system at the present stage”, in which he emphasized the key challenges and tasks for justice.
One of the most important priorities of the HCJ is to implement the European integration tasks set out in the Rule of Law Roadmap.
More details — at the link.
Judge of the Northern economic court of appeal Volodymyr Kuksov was temporarily suspended from the administration of justice based on decision of the Second Disciplinary Chamber of the HCJ
The decision to bring the judge to disciplinary liability and impose disciplinary sanctions in the form of submission on dismissal from office was adopted by the Second Disciplinary Chamber of the HCJ on May 28, 2025.
7 judges were resigned
On May 29, 2025, the HCJ took decision on dismissal due to filling applications for resignation of:
- Byshevska Nataliia Anatoliivna — from the office of a judge of the Third administrative court of appeal;
- Shemetenko Liudmyla Petrivna — from the office of a judge of the Fifth administrative court of appeal;
- Korol Oleksii Pavlovych — from the office of a judge of the Vinnytskyi local court of Vinnytsia region;
- Senyk Roman Petrovych — from the office of a judge of the Eighth administrative court of appeal.
On June 2, 2025, the HCJ decided to dismiss Reva Oleksandr Ivanovych from the office of a judge of the Pereiaslavskyi local-distric court of Kyiv region due to filling application for resignation.
On June 5, 2025, the HCJ took decision on dismissal of two judges due to filling applications for resignation of:
- Petriuk Tetiana Mykhailivna — from the office of a judge of the Verkhniodniprovskyi district court of Dnipropetrovsk region;
- Kovalenko Valentyna Petrivna — from the office of a judge of the Korostenskyi local-district court of Zhytomyr region.
It is impossible to ensure citizens' access to courts and organize proper judicial proceedings without court staff, – Oksana Kvasha
The Deputy Chairperson of the HСJ Oksana Kvasha and member of the HCJ Roman Maselko took part in the event “CourtUP: the First All-Ukrainian Forum of Court Employees” organised by the All-Ukrainian Association of Court Employees within the framework of a grant provided by the EU Project “Pravo-Justice”, implemented by Expertise France.
The HCJ, within its powers, addresses problems related to the courts. In particular, on December 24 and August 29, 2024, public appeals were adopted to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, in which the HСJ emphasized the insufficient level of funding for the judiciary in general, in particular the low level of remuneration of employees of local courts and courts of appeal.
HCJ will make to the President of Ukraine submission on appointment of a judge to the Saksahanskyi district court of Kryvyi Rih of Dnipropetrovsk region
On June 3, 2025, the HCJ took decision on making submission to the President of Ukraine on appointment of Chaikovska Nataliia Romanivna to the office of a judge of the Saksahanskyi district court of the city of Kryvyi Rih of Dnipropetrovsk region.
President of Ukraine supported submissions of the HCJ on appointment of 23 judges
By decrees of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi dated June 3, 2025 Nos. 362/2025—378/2025 23 judges were appointed to local courts and High Anti-Corruption Court.
High Council of Justice terminated the retirement of a judge due to the entry into force of a judgment of guilt for committing an intentional crime
On 3 June 2025, the High Council of Justice terminated the retirement of Judge Ihor Anatoliiovych Saraiev due to the entry into force of a judgement of guilt against him for committing an intentional crime.
Termination of the judge’s retirement shall be the ground to terminate the judge’s lifetime monthly allowance in connection with the retirement.
Annual report “On the state of ensuring judicial independence in Ukraine” for 2024 was published on the HCJ’s website
The HCJ prepared 2024 Annual report (report) in cooperation with courts, judicial bodies and institutions, state authorities, professional lawyers' organisations, public associations, scientific institutions and higher education institutions.
The report outlines the activities of the justice system's bodies and institutions in the context of the war; fulfilment of commitments on the path to the European Union; exercise of powers by the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine and the High Council of Justice on certain personnel matters, selection of judges based on uniform standards of integrity and professional ethics; ensuring guarantees of judicial immunity; implementation of disciplinary functions; organization of financial and material and technical support of courts, etc. The main achievements in 2024 were analyzed and problem areas were identified that need to be addressed.
HCJ extended the term of temporary suspension from the administration of justice of a judge of the Western economic court of appeal
On June 5, 2025, the HCJ decided to extend till August 5, 2025, the term of temporary suspension of a judge of the Western economic court of appeal from the administration of justice due to bringing the judge to criminal prosecution.
The judge is suspected of committing a criminal offense, provided by part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
On May 15, 2025, a judge of the Western economic court of appeal was notified of suspicion of committing a criminal offense. On May 22, 2025, the High Council of Justice temporarily, until June 9, 2025, suspended the judge in connection with criminal prosecution.
Disciplinary practice is a way to protect the judicial institution from discrediting – Oleksii Melnyk
Members of the High Council of Justice Oleksii Melnyk, Olena Kovbii, and Deputy Head of the Service of Disciplinary Inspectors of the HCJ Viktoria Nedybaliuk participated in the XIII International Judicial and Legal Forum, which was held on June 5-6, 2025, by the publishing house “Yurydychna praktyka”.
During his special presentation on the topic “Development of disciplinary practice regarding judges”, Oleksii Melnyk emphasized: “Disciplinary responsibility of judges is not merely a means of cleansing the system. It is a sign of the maturity of the judiciary, its ability to respond to the challenges of the times and public expectations. And it is our common duty to ensure that this practice not only does not harm judicial independence, but, on the contrary, strengthens it.”
He also noted that disciplinary practice is a kind of reflection of the quality of the judicial system, an indicator of its independence, and evidence of the accountability of the judiciary to society.
Deputy Head of the Service of Disciplinary Inspectors Viktoriia Nedybaliuk delivered a report on “The role of the Service of Disciplinary Inspectors of the HCJ in disciplinary proceedings against judges.”
More details — at the link.
HCJ believes that the court cannot be considered impartial if it indulges a participant who manipulates the process, — Oleksii Melnyk
Deputy Chairperson of the HCJ Oksana Kvasha, members of the HCJ Oleksii Melnyk and Tetiana Bondarenko participated in the VIII Kyiv Polylogue dedicated to discussing the problem of counteracting abuse of procedural rights in light of the effectiveness of anti-corruption justice.
As moderator, Oksana Kvasha noted that the Kyiv Polylogue has traditionally become a platform for judges, people's deputies, law enforcement officials, lawyers and scholars to discuss legal issues aimed at ensuring fair and effective justice in Ukraine.
In his speech, Oleksii Melnyk focused on the consideration of disciplinary cases against judges accused of tolerating procedural rights abuses by participants in court proceedings.
More details — at the link.