On December 20, 2022, the Selection Commission for the selection of candidates for the position of a member of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine (Selection Commission) held an official meeting at which it approved the list of 64 candidates who are admitted to the next stage of the competition i.e. interviews.
The official meeting attended by all six members of the Selection Commission, was broadcasted live on the YouTube channel of the High Council of Justice and the Selection Commission and is available in Ukrainian and English.
As from October 6, 2022, the Selection Commission has considered 13,828 documents, including almost 1500 property declarations, more than 640 explanations and clarifications from candidates and about 300 information notes from public organizations regarding 301 candidates, who were admitted to participate in the competition.
"The most inspiring thing is that at a time of great challenge for Ukraine, 301 judges, lawyers, academicians took the time to fill in detailed applications for participation in the national competition for the position of a member of the HQCJ. I was inspired to read the many pages of motivation letters of the 301 candidates we considered. The candidates speak of the reforms they want to implement, what the "rule of law" means to them, the responsibilities of public service, the strengths and weaknesses of the country's judicial system, the new sense of unity in Ukraine, and why the Commission can be confident in the candidate's deep support for a reformed judiciary in Ukraine. I can assure you that during the selection process each candidate is treated with respect and given full opportunity to present their qualifications. All six members of the Selection Commission are making every effort to select the most qualified candidates who will then select the judiciary that consists of persons of the highest professional competence, the deepest appreciation of the rule of law and constitutionalism, as well as the highest standards of personal integrity," said Stephen Markman, a member of the Selection Commission.
The list of 64 best candidates was determined by the Selection Commission on the basis of the approved Methodology for assessing the candidates' compliance with the criteria of integrity and professional competence and verification of all information provided on the candidates for compliance with the requirements of the Law of Ukraine "On the Judiciary and the Status of Judges" and posted on the website of the High Council of Justice.
Thus, the Selection Commission has completed the first stage of the competition. According to its results, during the second stage of the competition, 67% of men (43 persons) and 33% of women (21 persons) seek 16 vacant positions in the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine, of which 58% of candidates are aged 40 to 49 years, 25% - 50 to 59, 14% - 35 to 39. Among the winners of the first stage of the competition 39% (25 persons) are judges, 26% (17 persons) are scientists, 16% (10 persons) are lawyers, 5% (3 persons) represent law enforcement agencies and 14% (9 persons) have other occupations.
The vast majority of candidates who compete for the right to become a member of the High Qualifications Commission of Judges of Ukraine at the second stage are lawyers from Kyiv and its region - 47% (30 candidates), Kharkiv region takes the second place - 12.5% (8 candidates), and the third place goes to Lviv region - 7.8% (5 candidates).
The candidates who made it to the second stage of the competition will be invited to an interview with the members of the Selection Commission. The interviews will be broadcasted in real time via the official website of the High Council of Justice and the YouTube channel of the Selection Commission.
"As a Selection Commission, we’ve got to make many tough choices. Those of you who weren’t selected to be the 64 finalists should know that we greatly appreciate your participation and thank each of the 301 candidates. Now our committee will be doing the extremely important work of interviewing the selected candidates," said Ted Zarzeczny, Chairman of the Selection Committee. In continuation of his words, Deputy Chairman of the Selection Committee Ivan Mishchenko noted that the Commission was very pleased with the large number of applications from the candidates. "We want to say to all candidates, and especially to those who were not selected to the second stage of the competition, words of great gratitude for the fact that at this crucial time for Ukraine they believed in themselves and in the Selection Commission. We look forward to further support of positive changes in the judiciary," Ivan Mishchenko said.
In connection with the expiration of the one-year term of office of the Chairman of the Selection Commission Ted Zarzeczny, a new Chairman was elected at the official meeting. From now on, Ivan Mishchenko will be acting as Chairman of the Selection Commission and Ted Zarzeczny is the Deputy Chairman.
It should be reminded that on January 21, 2022, it will be one year since the Selection Commission, established to select candidates for the positions of HQCJU members, started its official work.