Between January and July 2025, the High Council of Justice received:
- 157 reports from judges on interference in the administration of justice, on actions violating guarantees of judicial independence, or undermining the authority of justice;
- 3 submissions from the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine (HQCJ) regarding compliance with guarantees of independence;
- 1 memorandum from an HCJ member;
- 2 submissions from the Council of Judges of Ukraine;
- 1 submission from the Prosecutor’s Office regarding judicial independence and the authority of justice.
Taking into account reports received in previous periods, since the beginning of this year the Council has considered:
- 147 reports from judges;
- 3 submissions from the HQCJ regarding compliance with guarantees of independence;
- 1 submission from the Council of Judges of Ukraine;
- 1 submission from the Prosecutor’s Office;
- 2 memoranda from an HCJ member regarding judicial independence and the authority of justice.
Based on the review of 76 reports of interference in judges’ activities related to the administration of justice, 62 decisions were adopted to take response measures, including:
- referrals to the Prosecutor’s Office and law enforcement bodies requesting information on the disclosure and investigation of crimes;
- submissions to the relevant authorities or officials regarding the identification and bringing to statutory liability of persons who committed actions or allowed inaction, etc.
Upon considering 71 reports from judges, the Council adopted 32 decisions approving 64 opinions of HCJ members stating the absence of grounds for taking measures to safeguard judicial independence and the authority of justice.
In addition, within its powers, the HCJ adopted the following decisions to ensure judicial independence and the authority of justice:
- 1 decision on its own initiative;
- 2 decisions based on submissions from the HQCJ and the Deputy Head of the HQCJ;
- 1 decision based on a submission from the Prosecutor’s Office;
- 1 decision based on memoranda from an HCJ member.
It should be recalled that the HCJ takes measures to uphold the authority of justice and judicial independence. In particular, the Council submits recommendations to the relevant authorities or officials to identify and bring to statutory liability those who commit actions or allow inaction that violates judicial independence or undermines the authority of justice.
Article 376 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine establishes criminal liability for interference in the activities of judicial bodies.