Venice Commission approves reform of Ukraine’s judiciary

The Venice Commission generally welcomed the preliminary text of the constitutional amendments regarding the judiciary of Ukraine.

As the Ukrayinska Pravda (Ukrainian Truth) Ukraine’s media outlet reports, this is stated in the preliminary opinion of the European Commission For Democracy Through Law, which was released on July 24.

It is noted in the conclusions that “the proposed amendments are a generally positive text which deserves to be supported.”

“The amendments are well drafted. Their adoption would be an important step forward towards the establishment of a truly independent judicial system in Ukraine,” read the conclusions.

In particular, the experts of the Venice Commission praised the abolition of probationary periods for junior judges and removal of the power of the Verkhovna Rada to appoint the judges. In addition, the abolition of the “breach of oath” as a ground for dismissal of the judges was welcomed.

Among the shortcomings, the Commission notes that the President should not have the power to dismiss judges. It is also stated that not only the President, but also the Verkhovna Rada should have a role in the election/ appointment of a limited number of members of the High Judicial Council.

As a reminder, July 15, the Law “On Prosecutor’s Office” entered into force in Ukraine to reform the Soviet system of the prosecutor’s offices. The number of prosecutors’ offices in Ukraine is to be reduced to about 180 departments.