The competition to fill 25 vacant positions of judges of the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine has been going on for almost a year. This is stated in the response of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine to the request of Komersant Ukrayinskyi
According to the HQCJU, the competition was announced in November last year, but 25 vacancies are still open.
“In order to fill the vacant positions of judges by the Commission during 2023-2024:
…a competition is being held to fill 25 vacant positions of judges of the High Anti-Corruption Court, announced by the Commission’s decision of 23.11.2023,”
– the HQCJ said in its response.
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The High Anti-Corruption Court
TheHigh Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) was established in Ukraine as part of the 2016 judicial reform. This specialised body was created to hear cases related to corruption offences, including those committed by high-ranking officials. The court began its work on 5 September 2019 and has nationwide jurisdiction. Judges are appointed through an open competition, which should ensure the transparency and independence of this judicial body.
The court consists of first instance and appellate courts. The main tasks of the HACC are to consider criminal cases of corruption and to exercise judicial control over the observance of the rights and freedoms of citizens in these proceedings. The court also deals with civil cases, including the recognition of unjustified assets and their recovery in favour of the state. The Public Council of International Experts assists in the selection of judges, ensuring international control over the transparency of the process.
During the first years of its operation, the HACC delivered several high-profile decisions. One of them was the arrest in absentia of Viktor Tatkov, the former chairman of the High Commercial Court. Another high-profile case is the first sentence with actual imprisonment. It concerns the sentencing in 2020 to 5 years in prison of Oleksandr Mefodiy, a deputy of the Kyiv Regional Council , for a bribe of $5,000. The Appeals Chamber of the court later reduced the sentence to 2.5 years, and then the deputy fled and disappeared, as he was released on his own recognizance.
The HACC has also faced criticism for dragging out trials and raising public expectations. Despite this, its activities are supported by international organisations such as the International Monetary Fund and the European Union.
As of 9 September, the HACC has 38 judges out of a maximum of 63.