Research Report on qualification requirements for candidates to occupy the post of judge was presented
On 8 June 2015 a round table with presenting the Research Report on qualification requirements for candidates to occupy the post of judge was held at premisies of the Higher Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine.
The research was conducted by the Commission in cooperation with the international NGO Universal Examination Network with a support of the USAID FAIR Justice Project.
Analysis of judge practice was carried out in two stages in the form of a survey. About 1200 judges were subject to questionnaires that lately became the material for the presented Report. The analysis was ascertaining the qualification requirements for candidates for a post of judge and the most relevant and desirable topics for upgrading qualifications among acting judges.
The first stage was held in 2013 and was devoted to research qualification requirements for civil and criminal judicial specializations, while the second one - being held in 2015 - was dedicated to research qualification requirements for judges of administrative and economic specializations. During both stages the researchers were trying to find the attitude of judges to the list of personal and moral qualities of a candidate for a post of judge and methods of their establishment, assessment, as well as to determine the criticalness and importance of personal moral and psychological qualities of a candidate.
As was noted during the presentation by Mr Serhii Mudruk, President of the international NGO Universal Examination Network through questioning was clarified how important, according to judges, is displaying some or other section in program of the qualifying examination. Studies showed the extent of need to master the particular sections of the judiciary prior to become a judge.
Also was conducted a research on assessing the personal, moral and psychological qualities. Mr Roman Savchuk, Head of Professional Qualification of Judges and Candidates of the Secretariat of the Commission reminded that such qualities will be detected by a written test. However, this test is the most controversial issue, since the list of personal and moral qualities was not defined by a legislator. The Commission and the National School of Judges of Ukraine have an uneasy task and they should take into account both the views of judges and general public.
The round table was attended by Mr David Vaughn, the USAID Fair Justice Chief of Party, Mr Mykola Patriuk, Deputy Chairman of the Commission, Mr Stanislav Shchotka, Secretary of the Commission, Mrs Natalia Volkovytska, Member of the High Council of Justice, Mrs Nataliia Shuklina, Prorector of the National School of Judges of Ukraine, Mrs Tetiana Chumachenko, Member of the Council of Judges of Ukraine, as well as judges of different instances, experts and others.
