On March 30, 2025, the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine completed the main period for accepting documents from candidates intending to participate in the selection process for the position of a local court judge (military personnel may submit documents until May 01, 2025, inclusive). This selection process has set a record for the number of participants, with 8,549 candidates applying for the position of a judge and 594 judges expressing their intention to be transferred to another court.
To ensure broad participation of legal professionals in the selection process, the Commission has begun systematic preparations for its conduction since August 2024, namely:
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at the Commission’s initiative, amendments were made to the Law of Ukraine “On the Judiciary and the Status of Judges” to optimize the qualification exam stages and shorten the selection process duration;
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on December 13, 2024, a press conference was held with representatives from the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Legal Policy, the Office of the President of Ukraine, the High Council of Justice, and the Supreme Court, which highlighted a shared understanding of the selection process’s importance in enhancing judicial efficiency and restoring trust in the judiciary;
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meetings with potential candidates were conducted in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Lviv, and Odesa;
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a total of 111 news updates were published on the Commission’s official website and Facebook page;
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information about the selection process was disseminated across all courts and judicial authorities;
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1,723 inquiries and candidate requests were processed;
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an online question submission form was introduced (626 questions were received);
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online explanations and 273 informational materials on document submission were prepared;
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video materials on document submission were updated (215,000 views were received);
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a work of contact center was ensured until the final hours of document submission, providing support to candidates.
The large number of participants in the selection process demonstrates the high level of trust in the Commission’s procedures. It reaffirms the effectiveness and transparency of the Commission’s work.
The Commission extends its gratitude to every candidate for their initiative, responsibility, and commitment to becoming a part of the judicial reform. Participation in the selection process is not only an opportunity to obtain a judge’s robe, but also a challenge that requires knowledge, resilience, and dedication to the principles of the rule of law.
Gratitude is extended to the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Legal Policy and the Office of the President of Ukraine for their consistent support of the Commission in conducting the selection process.
Appreciation is also expressed for the productive cooperation with the High Council of Justice, the Supreme Court, the Council of Judges of Ukraine, the State Judicial Administration of Ukraine, the National School of Judges of Ukraine, and the courts.
A special thanks to the Ukrainian Bar Association and international partners for supporting the events organized by the Commission nationwide.
Thanks to our joint efforts, society has received comprehensive and objective information about the process of renewing the judiciary.
The crucial stages of the selection process lie ahead, which will be conducted transparently, objectively, and according to clear criteria to identify the best candidates. Further information on the selection process will be published in due course.
Thank you for your trust!