Constitutional Court to consider alternative bill on judicial reform

The Parliament of Ukraine sent an alternative version of the bill on the constitutional amendments relating to judicial system to the Constitutional Court.

231 MPs voted for the decision, LB.ua reports.

Last week, the Constitutional Court approved the bill No.3254, having recognized it as constitutional. However, January 26, the alternative amendments to the Constitution were registered in the Parliament.

It gives MPs the right to impeach the Prosecutor General unlike the bill No.3254.

The judicial reform also provides for the transfer of function of establishment and elimination of the courts from the President to the Parliament, as well as the creation of a new body of judiciary – the Supreme Council of Justice.

The Supreme Council of Justice (SCJ) shall select judges for all the courts in Ukraine on a competitive basis, its decisions on the appointment and dismissal of judges shall be approved by the President.

The proposals for establishment and elimination of the courts shall be submitted to the Parliament by the President upon recommendation of the SCJ.

The Supreme Council of Justice will involve 21 members, ten of which shall be elected by congress of judges, the President, the Parliament, the congress of lawyers, the Ukrainian conference of prosecutors, the congress of representatives of the law universities and research institutions from among legal scholars shall appoint two members each.

The Supreme Council of Justice will supervise the appointment, promotion and dismissal of judges and prosecutors.