Commission determined the winners of the competition to the High Anti-Corruption Court: 40% of lawyers and scholars in the first instance, 50% in the Appeal Chamber
On March 06, 2019, the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine summarized the results of the qualification evaluation and approved the ratings of candidates for vacant positions of judges of the High Anti-Corruption Court and the Appeal Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court. The competition for these positions in the new court being established within the framework of judicial reform in Ukraine lasted from August 2, 2018 and became one of the most transparent in the world regarding publicity of the procedures.
The rating above passing score to the Appeal Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court includes 12 winners of the competition, among who there are 50% of judges and 50% of lawyers and scientists. The rating to the first instance of the High Anti-Corruption Court includes 27 winners, 40% of who have working experience as lawyers and academicians, and 60% as judges.
“In my opinion, it has been very successful joint work and as I have said many times, we in the PCIE have had the fullest cooperation from the High Qualification Commission. We could not have asked for more help, more cooperation than we have had on their part”, said Sir Anthony Hooper, British retired judge of the appeal court, Chairman of the Public Council of International Experts.
The Public Council of International Experts has played an important role in the course of the competition conducted by the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine. In particular, according to the results of joint meetings, in course of which the PCIE members raised doubts regarding 49 candidates, 39 of them stopped participating in the competition and 7 candidates successfully passed it and moved forward; 3 candidates lodged the application to stop their participation in the competition before joint meeting started.
“The final rating encompasses the worthiest candidates who successfully passed all stages of the competition and in respect of whom there were no questions from the PCIE or they were able to provide so convincing explanations that no questions remained. This means that all the winners of the competition were given “green light” by the international experts who thoroughly checked the details of their biography, and Ukraine became the first country to invite international experts to participate in the selection of judges. In the nearest future, recommendations for the appointment of judges will be transferred to the High Council of Justice,” said Mr. Stanislav Shchotka, Deputy Chairman of the Commission.
All candidates for the vacant positions of judges to the High Anti-Corruption Court and its Appeal Chamber passed complex competitive tests in the public mode. In particular, passed an anonymous written test on knowledge of law, took case study, passed psychological test. Their dossiers were analyzed by the members of the HQCJ and the PCIE as to integrity (morality, integrity, incorruptibility), as well as their having knowledge and practical skills to consider relevant cases.
An important aspect to which international experts drew attention is the fact that each stage of the competition was developed with maximum publicity of procedures ensured.
“I do not think I know any country in the world that is as transparent as Ukraine. In my country (the United Kingdom – editor) competitions are held, but the decisions are reached in private meetings and no one can watch it on YouTube. I hope you watched the interviews held in the Commission on YouTube. I think Ukraine may be congratulated on these major achievements in establishing unprecedented system of appointing judges for the whole world”, said Sir Anthony Hooper, Chairman of the PCIE.
It should be recalled that 343 candidates submitted applications to participate in the competition, 270 of them were admitted to the competition; 156 of them successfully passed the test, 113 were successful in practical assignment, of those – 81 candidates to the High Anti-Corruption Court and 32 to the Appeal Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court. However, in respect of 49 candidates (43%) questions were raised by the members of the PCIE regarding integrity and professionalism, whereas in respect of 64 candidates (57%) there were no such questions and they immediately proceeded to the next stage of the competition, namely the interviews based on the results of examination of their dossiers. 71 candidates participated in the final rating.
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