December 6, 2010
Regular session of the High Council of Justice took place on December 6, 2010. HCJ by results of consideration on submissions of judicial council of administrative courts of Ukraine has made the decision regarding appointment of judges on administrative positions, namely:
- Gundjak Victor Dmytrovich - as Deputy Chairman of Ivano-Frankivsk district administrative court;
- Lankevych Andriy Zinovjovych - as Deputy Chairman of Lviv district administrative court;
- Sventuh Vitaliy Myhajlovych - as Deputy Chairman of Vinnitsa district administrative court. The High Council of Justice has also dismissed Rohova Tetjana Dmytrovna, Deputy Chairman of Druzhkivsk city court of Donetsk region on submission of Council of Judges of General Courts of Ukraine.
The High Council of Justice has decided to forward submission to the President of Ukraine regarding appointment of 11 candidates on positions of judges, in particular: 2 candidates – as judges of local administrative courts; 9 - to local general courts. 4 candidates were refused in forwarding appointment submissions.
Council will forward submission to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine about dismissal of judges from their positions (on general grounds): 15 judges - resignation; 6 - resignation due to health condition; 2 – due to applications on dismissal on their own decision. Rada will also forward submission to the President of Ukraine about dismissal of 1 judge on his own decision.
High Council of Justice, considering results of its members proposals (Mr. Khoroshkovskyi, Mr. Zavalnjuk, and Mr. Portnov) has made a decision on forwarding submission to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine regarding dismissal of 4 judges from their positions for oath violations, namely: Kormushyn Kyryl Oleksandrovych - from position of judge of Shevchenkivskyi regional court of Kyiv; Bondarenko Igor Anatolijovych and Zavirjuha Oleksyi Vasylovych - from positions of judges of Borispil’ regional court of Kyiv region; Karjakin Oleg Oleksandrovych - from position of judge of Enakievo city court of Donetsk region.
Besides, High Council of Justice has rejected proposal of its members on dismissal of 10 judges from their positions for oath violations, and also recommendation of the Qualification Commission of Judges of General Courts of Dnipropetrovs’k appeal district concerning one judge.
The High Council of Justice has satisfied application of Mr. Pshonka concerning termination of HCJ member powers due to appointment as the Procurator-General of Ukraine. He was elected by All-Ukrainian Conference of the Office of Public Prosecutor employees.

November 22, 2010
The High Council of Justice on its regular session, having considered submission of Council of Judges of Economic Courts, has appointed judges to administrative positions, namely:
Demyanchuk Yuriy Hrygorovych - as Chairman of the Rivno Appeal Economic court;
Vasylyak Konstyantyn Leonidovych – as Chairman of the Economic Court of Mykolaiv area;
Zakurin Mykola Konstyantynovych – as Chairman of the Economic Court of Kherson area;
Kramar Sergiy Ivanovych – as Chairman of the Economic court of Khmelnytskiy area;
Marach Victor Vasyl`ovych – as Chairman of the Economic Court of Rivno area;
Korsak Vitaliy Antonovych – as Deputy Chairman of Kyiv Appeal Economic Court;
Bandura Larysa Ivanivna – as Deputy Chairman of Odesa Appeal Economic Court;
Karpechkyn Taras Petrovych – as Deputy Chairman of the Economic Court of Kyiv area;
Kovalenko Oleksandr Viktorovych – as Deputy Chairman of the Economic Court of Sumy area;
Kostritsya Oleg Oleksandrovych – as Deputy Chairman of the Economic Court of Zhytomyr area;
Proskuryakov Kyryl Valeryanovych – as Deputy Chairman of the Economic Court of Zaporizhia area;
Tatarchuk Volodymyr Oleksandrovych – as Deputy Chairman of the Economic Court of Dnipropetrivsk area;
Hotenets Pavlo Vasyl`ovych – as Deputy Chairman of the Economic Court of Kharkiv area.
The High Council of Justice has made the decision on forwarding submission to the President of Ukraine on appointment of 21 candidates on positions of judges, i.e.: 6 - as judges of Local Administrative Courts, 14 - as Judges of Local General Courts and 1 - to a Local Economic Court. One candidate was refused in forwarding a submission.
Having considered applications of judges, The Council has made the decision on a forwarding submission to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on dismissal of 15 judges from office as resigning.
Having considered propositions of HCJ members on removal of judges from their positions for oath violations, the Council has rejected four of them, one proposition has been withdrawn.

November 15, 2010
The regular session of the High Council of Justice (HCJ) took place.
At the beginning of its session, the Council made a decision on termination of powers of Olexander Medvedko, HCJ member, who was incorporated as a Council member by his position of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.
According to the Decree of the President of Ukraine from November, 4th, 2010, Victor Pshonka was appointed as the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and has become a plenipotentiary HCJ member by his position since this day.
Having considered recommendations of Qualification Commissions, the Council has made the decision to forward submissions to the President of Ukraine regarding appointment of 34 candidates to judges positions, i.e.: 8 persons - as judges of local administrative courts, 26 persons - as judges of local general courts. 5 candidates were refused.
The High Council of Justice has also made the decision to forward submissions to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine concerning demission of 46 judges on general reasons, i.e. 45 persons - resignation, 1 person - resignation according to health condition.
The Council has declined 5 recommendations of Qualification Commissions and has approved results of 9 verifications done by the HCJ members concerning 12 judges with the conclusion: no reason to forward submission on their dismissal for oath violations.
Members of the High Council of Justice V. Bondyk and V. Kolesnychenko, upon detailed reveal of circumstances of the cases and explanations of judges, have revoked their propositions to forward submissions regarding dismissal of 2 judges for oath violations.

November 1, 2010
On November 1, 2010 regular session of the High Council of Justice took place. Council decided to forward to the President of Ukraine the submission on the appointment of 41 candidates to the positions of judges. In particular, 13 candidates were recommended for judges of local administrative courts, two – for judges of local economic courts and 26 – to local general courts. Eight persons were refused.
The HCJ decided to dismiss 68 judges from office on general grounds (66 – in connection with their applications for resignation, two – resigned for health reasons).
There were considered a number of proposals of the HCJ members and recommendations of qualification commissions concerning removal judges from office for oath violation. After considering these issues, the Council rejected a proposal and five recommendations of qualification commissions concerning five judges, also there were approved the results of eight inspections of 13 judges with the conclusions that there are no reasons to forward submissions on their dismissal for oath violation and two verifications concerning one judge of the Supreme Court of Ukraine and three judges of the High Economic Court of Ukraine with the conclusions that there are no reasons to open disciplinary proceedings.

October 11, 2010
The regular meeting of the High Council of Justice took place. Council considered the submission of the Council of Judges of general courts and the decision to appoint judges to administrative positions was taken. Specifically Grynenko Olexandr Ivanovych was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Court of Appeal of Kyiv; Heyenko Mykhaylo Georgoyovych – as Chairman of the Slovyanskyy district court, Donetsk region; Samsin Markian Leonovych – as Chairman of the Kamynko-Buz’kyy District Court of Lviv region; Kolomyets Mykola Volodymyrovych – as Chairman of the Appeal Court of Ternopil region. Fesenko Leonid Ivanovych was appointed as Chairman of the High Administrative Court of handling civil and criminal cases.
It was also decided to forward to the President of Ukraine submissions regarding appointment of 18 candidates for judges. Particularly three candidates were recommended for judges of local administrative courts, four – for judges of local economic courts and 11 – to local general courts.
HCJ considered the dismissal of judges on general grounds. The decision on forwarding submissions to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on dismissal of 23 judges from office in connection with the submission of their resignation was taken.
Changes to the sections’ composition were made. HCL members Mykola Kobylyanskyy and Oleksander Udovychenko were included in the section of the Council for appointment of judges to the position and their dismissal from office.

October 5, 2010
The meeting of the administration of the High Council of Justice with the experts of the Venice Commission and the Joint Programme between the European Union and the Council of Europe on Transparency and Efficiency of the Judicial System of Ukraine took place.
In the meeting participated: the Council of Europe experts Stephan Gass, Daimar Liiv, Carsten Mahnke and James Hamilton, a member of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), representatives of the Secretariat of the Venice Commission Shnutz Durr and Amaya Ubeda, head of the Joint Programme between the European Union and the Council of Europe on Transparency and Efficiency of the Judicial System of Ukraine took place Oscar Alarkon, Senior Legal Advisor Irina Zaretska and Legal Advisor of the CE and the EU JP Office Oleksiy Gotsul.
From the High Council of Justice participated: Chairman of the HCJ Volodymyr Kolesnychenko, Deputy Chairman Lidiya Izovitova, Council members: Judge of the High Administratyice Court of Ukraine Mykola Kobylyanskyy, Judge of the High Economic Court of Ukraine Olexandr Udovychenko, Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine Viktor Kudryavtsev, as well as Nataliya Sukhova, Head of legal expertise and representation of HCJ in the courts, Head of Office - Chief Advisor to the Chairman of HCJ Olexandr Goncharenko, Adviser to the Chairman of HCJ Yuriy Poltavets.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Law of Ukraine "On the Judicial System and Status of Judges" and "On amendments to some legislative acts of Ukraine to prevent abuse of the right to appeal" and previous expert opinions.
At the beginning of the meeting the Chairman of the High Council of Justice Volodymyr Kolesnychenko stressed the importance of this meeting, aimed at further development and restructuring of the judicial system of Ukraine in accordance with fair principles of the European community. “Our joint efforts are identical, we sincerely follow the path of establishing fair courts in Ukraine, promote legislation strengthening an independent judiciary," said V. Kolesnychenko. – We recognize that if this problem is unresolved it’ll an obstacle to the development of public relations, country’s economic and political development. Without enforcement of a strong judicial mechanism it is impossible to guarantee the protection and implementation of the law; access to the democratic and free society that we want to build in Ukraine is impossible as well”.
V. Kolesnychenko also noted that the experience of developing the European judicial system is invaluable for Ukraine and must be present in all subsequent steps to reform the Ukrainian judiciary.
"We recognize the enormous responsibility that rests with the High Council of Justice, and understand: our activities should be directed to how to contain or even reduce the possibility of abuse of law by judges", - said Chairman of the HCJ.
According to the Secretariat of the Venice Commission Shnutz Durr, the European Commission for Democracy through Law received two requests for expert opinion to these laws: from the Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine Yuriy Prytyka and Monitoring Committee of PACE.
“Our task – not only to provide general expert opinion, but also look at whether the recommendations, we provide, are suitable for the country, that why we are interested to hear all sides of these issues”, – said Shnutz Durr. He also noted that the Venice Commission promotes recommendations, advice about what changes might be useful to the legal system, although each country is free in its choice of development path.
During two days Council of Europe experts had meetings with public associations, members of the Supreme Court of Ukraine, representatives of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine, Parliament, Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and the High Council of Justice of Ukraine.
The final joint expert opinion will be announced on October 15-16, 2010 following the results of the Plenary Session of the Venice Commission.

October 4, 2010
The regular meeting of the High Council of Justice of Ukraine took place. At the beginning of the meeting the Chairman of the High Council of Justice Volodymyr Kolesnychenko presented the badges of the High Council of Justice of the newly appointed members of the HCJ: judge of the Supreme Economic Court of Ukraine Olexander Udovychenko and judge of the Supreme Administrative Court of Ukraine Mykola Kobylyanskyy.
Basing on the agenda of the Council members approved the proposed amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the High Council of Justice of Ukraine. It was also decided on forwarding to the President of Ukraine proposals on the appointment of 60 candidates for judges. In particular, 19 candidates were recommended for judges of local administrative courts, 11 candidates – for judges of local economic courts and 30 – to local general courts. Six candidates were refused.
High Council of Justice considered the issue of the dismissal of judges from office on general reasons. HCJ would forward submissions regarding dismissal of two judges from office because of the expiration of the term for which they were assigned, 51 judges – in connection with the submissions of resignation, four – in connection with the submissions of resignation for health, which prevents the continued performance of their duties, three – regarding application for a dismissal on their own decision.
HCJ took a decision to forward submissions to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on dismissal of Polivoda Stepan Volodymyrovych from his position of the judge of Gagarynskyy district court of Sevastopol and Voronko Iryna Antonivna from office of the judge of Dniprovskyy district court of Dniprodzerzhynsk, Dnipropetrovsk region, due to the coming into force of a conviction against them.
The Council also adopted the results of inspections conducted by members of the HCJ concerning citizens’, national deputies’, officials’ claims with the conclusion on the absence of reasons for making submissions on dismissal from office of 48 judges because of oath violation.
The Council noted the information regarding the grounds for forwarding submissions regarding dismissal of Lebezuna Valery Ivanovych from office of the judge of Vyshgorodskyy district court of Kyiv region, Pavlovska Irina Grygorivna – judge of Sosnivskyy district court of Cherkassy, Lapin Olexandr Fedorovych – judge of Kovelskyy district court, Volyn region, because of oath violation, as indicated judges have already been dismissed for this reason.

September 20, 2010
The regular meeting of the High Council of Justice took place. The submission of the council of judges of general courts was considered and the re was taken the decision on the appointment of judges: Vihrov Volodymyr Vaasylyovych to the position of the Chairman of the Appeal Court of Dnipropetrovsk region, Horodovenko Victor Valentynovych - as Chairman of the Appeal Court of Zaporizhzhya region, Shevchenko Oleksandr Vasilyovych was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Appeal Court of Kyiv region.
The HCJ also decided to make submissions to the President of Ukraine on appointment of 22 candidates to the positions of judges. In particular, one candidate – to the position of a judge of the Court of Appeal, 10 – to the local administrative courts, four – to the local economic courts, seven – to the local general courts.
After reviewing the materials of additional inspection carried out by the State Court Administration of Ukraine, the submission regarding appointment of nine candidates to judges’ office was re-forwarded to the President of Ukraine.
The Council considered the dismissal of judges, not elected by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the position of judges permanently. Taking to account the results of the discussions it was decided to send the specified materials to the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine, since the adoption of the Law of Ukraine "On judiciary and the Status of Judges" foresees this matter within the competence of the Commission.
The High Council of Justice also decided to make submissions on the release of 31 judges from office on general reasons, namely: at the end of the term for which they were appointed, resignation, for health reasons and by their own decision.
Separately the release of judges, appointed by the Congress of Judges of Ukraine to the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, was considered. The Council decided to release Gultay Mykhailo Myhailovych from office of the judge of the Appeal Court of Kharkiv region; Zaporozhets Mikhailo Petrovych from office of the judge of the Appeal Court of Lugansk region; Sergeichuk Oleg Anatoliyovych from office of the judge of the High Administrative Court of Ukraine, Shaptala Natali Konstyantynivna from office of the judge of the Donetsk Appeal Administrative Court on their own decision.
At the session of the HCJ there were made seven proposals of the Council’s members for the dismissal of six judges from office for oath violation and two relevant recommendations of the qualification commissions of judges. One proposal was withdrawn, six for different reasons postponed to another session.
The High Council of Justice approved the recommendation of the Qualification Commission of Judges of General Courts of Dnipropetrovsk Appeals District from March 11, 2010 to make submissions concerning dismissal of Kibal’nyy Yurii Georgiyovych from office of the judge of Yurivskyy district court of Dnipropetrovsk region, because since 2008 the judge is wanted on suspicion of committing a series of crimes.
The complaint of Hodasevich Oleg Volodymyrovych, judge of Kirovograd district court of Dnipropetrovsk region, on the decision of Qualification Commission of Judges of Dnipropetrovs’k Appeal District from 28 January 2010 was considered and satisfied partly. The Council’s decision rejected the recommendation of the Qualification Commission of Judges of General Courts of Dnipropetrovsk Appeals District from January 28, 2010 concerning forwarding submission regarding dismissal of the specified judge. As part of the Commission's decision the reprimand was left in place.
The complaint of Tamara Yudenko, judge of the Appeal Court of Kyiv, was considered and the decision of the Supreme Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine on 25 March 2010 was set aside.

8 – 11 September, 2010
Under the Joint Program of the Council of Europe and European Union "Transparency and efficiency of the judicial system of Ukraine", a delegation of the High Council of Justice of Portugal visited Portugal. The Ukrainian delegation was headed by Deputy Chairman of the High Council of Justice Lidiya Izovitova. The delegation also included: HCJ member, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court of Ukraine Konstyantyn Kravchenko; Member of the HCJ, Advocate, Chairman of Council, Advocate private company "Konfident" (Lutsk) Sergii Safulko; Head of the Department for discipline liability and dismissal of judges on special reasons of the Secretariat of HCJ Olga Bulka; Head of Legal Department of the Secretariat of the HCJ Nataliia Sukhova; Head of Office - Senior Adviser to the Chairman of the High Council of Justice of Ukraine Oleksandr Honcharenko; Adviser to the Chairman of the High Council of Justice of Ukraine Iurii Poltavets; Leading specialist of the Division for provision of HCJ’s members orders execution enforcement of the Secretariat of the HCJ Viktoriia Paryshkura
During the visit the delegation visited the Supreme Council of Magistracy of Portugal, found out about the features of the composition, powers, internal structure of this body. In addition, the parties discussed the evaluation of judges in Portugal, met with the system of disciplinary responsibility of judges. There were also discussed the issues of practical aspects of inspection, methods, organization and efficiency of inspectorial procedures, role and powers of inspectors.
The delegation of the High Council of Justice also visited the training center of judges in Lisbon, where got acquainted with the practice of selection and training of magistrates (judges) in Portugal. Ukrainian delegation members also met with Chairman of the Supreme Court of Portugal Luis Antonio Noronha Nascimento, who according to the laws of Portugal holds both the presidency and of the Supreme Council of Magistracy. Special attention during the visit was paid to the work of the Supreme Court of Portugal, which also performs the appeal function when considering appeals against decisions of the Supreme Council of Magistracy and their disciplinary liability. On the last day of the visit the President of the Lisbon’s Appeal Court Luis Maria Vaz Das Neves informed the Ukrainian delegation to the work of the court.
Cooperation of the High Council of Justice and the Supreme Council of Magistracy of Portugal runs from July 9, 2002, when administration of both institutions signed a protocol. During the last visit of the HCJ’s delegation to Lisbon both sides confirmed intention to continue the cooperation, which aims to use the experience of colleagues for the improvement of the High Council of Justice activities and the judicial system of Ukraine.

September 6, 2010
The regular session of the High Council of Justice took place. At the beginning of the session a protocol decision was taken to adopt the Draft Regulations of the HCJ, which was amended according to the Law of Ukraine "On Judicial System and Status of Judges" from 07.07.2010, ³ 2453-VI. Previously established Working Group on Regulations of the HCJ will continue its work until the next HCJ’s session. The Council also approved a new structure and staffing of the secretariat of the High Council of Justice according to which within one of the Departments the Division for preparation of the materials on judges appointment to administrative positions and their dismissal from these positions as well as the Division for preparation of the materials regarding consideration of candidates’ to the positions of judges complaints were created, instead of the Department for ensuring activities of the HCJ’s members the Division for enforcement of orders of the HCJ’s members was created that was included in Organizational Department, and also Legal Department was reformed into the Legal Expertise and Representation of the HCJ in Courts Department.
According to the agenda the High Council of Justice for the first time started consideration of Councils’ of judges submissions regarding appointment of judges to administrative positions. Such powers are granted to the High Council of Justice of Ukraine by the Law of Ukraine "On the Judicial System and Status of Judges".
By the submission of the Council of judges of Administrative Courts it was dicided to appoint: Basay Oleg Viktorovych – Chairman of the Kyiv District Administrative Court; Vovk Pavlo Vyacheslavovych – Chairman of the District Administrative Court of Kyiv; Pasenyuk Olexander Mikhailovich – Chairman of the Supreme Administrative Court of Ukraine; Tertychnyi Vitaly Grugorovych - Chairman of the Lviv District Administrative Court.
Having considered the submission of the Council of Judges of Economic Courts, the High Council of Justice appointed: Hryehov Anatoly Stanislavovich – Chairman of the Economic Court of Kyiv Region; Kulebyakin Olexander Sergiyovych – Chairman of Donetsk Economic Court of Appeal; Nemchenko Olexander Ivanovych – Chairman of the Economic Court of Zaporizhzhya Region; Tat’kov Viktor Ivanovich – Chairman of the Supreme Economic Court of Ukraine; Temkizhev Igor Hazhmurydovych – Chairman of the Economic Court of Donetsk Region. The Council also appointed: Yemelyanov Arthur Stanislavovich – Deputy Chairman of the Economic Court of Donetsk Region; Zmeul Olexander Anatoliyocych – Deputy Chairman of the Economic Court of Kirovograd Region; Kadar Yosyf Yosyfovych – Deputy Chairman of the Economic Court of Zakarpattya Region.
Under the recommendations of the Qualification Commissions of Judges the decision was taken to forward submissions to the President of Ukraine regarding appointment of 39 persons to the positions of kidges, including: 12 – to the positions of judges of local administrative courts, 13 – local general courts; on seven – to local economic courts and the appeal courts of different jurisdictions. It was also decided to forward submissions regarding release from duties of 34 judges from office because of general reasons, such as: retirement, resignation for health reasons and by their own decision.
The High Council of Justice considered the release of two judges from office in connection with the entry into force of the court verdict of guilty against them. In particular, having considered the submission of the Chairman of the Supreme Court of Ukraine Onopenko V.V. the Council adopted the decision to forward to the President of Ukraine submission on dismissal of Gryb Oleksiy Sergiyovych from position of judges of the Radomyshl district court of Zhytomyr region. On the recommendation of the Qualification Commission of Judges of General Courts of Zhytomyr Appeal District the High Council of Justice will make a submission to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on dismissal of Velgus Vitaly Oleksiyovych from office of the judge of Khmilnyk City District Court of Vinnytsa region.
The High Council of Justice terminated powers of HCJ’s members Barbara V.P. and Kryvenko V.V. because of their applications.
The Council appointed Acting Secretaries of the HCJ’s VJ sections, including: the member of the HCJ, Rector of National University “Odesa Law Academy” Volodymyr Zavalniuk was appointed as Acting Secretary of the Section for appointment judges to position and dismissal from office, and the HCJ’s member, judge of the High Economic Court of Ukraine Valentyna Paliy - Acting Secretary of the Disciplinary Section.
Also the decision was taken to include a member of the HCJ, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Valeriy Khoroshkovskyi to the disciplinary section.
Thus, the Section for appointment judges to position and dismissal from office includes: Kolesnychenko V.M., Izovitova L.P., Vysotskyy V.I., Zavalniuk V.V. (Acting Section’s Secretary), Kivalov S.V., Kravchenko K.T., Kuzmin R.R., Portnov A.V., Safulko S.F. Disciplinary Section includes: Bondyk V.A., Kudryavtsev V.V., Lavrinovich A.V., Medvedko O.I., Onopenko V.V. Paliy V.M. (Acting Section’s Secretary), Pshonka V.P., Shapoval V.M.

July 14, 2010
The regular meeting of the High Council of Justice took place, where after consideration of the Qualification Commissions recommendations it was decided to forward submissions to the President of Ukraine on the appointment of 19 candidates for judges. In particular: two candidates recommended for the position of judges of the appeal administrative and local economic courts; eight – to the local administrative courts; seven – to the local general courts.
HCJ decided to make a presentation regarding dismissal from office of three judges because of the termination of the period they were appointed for, and 21 judges – in resignation. Two judges have been denied in retirement because earlier about them Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a decision on dismissal of judges because of oath violations.
Having examined the proposals of Kolesnychenko V.M. (concerning Danko V.V.), Portnova A.V. (concerning Lesagorov V.M.) Kudryavtsev V.V. (concerning Voloshin S.O.), the HCJ’s members, and recommendation of the Qualification Commission of Judges of General Courts of Kharkiv appeal district (concerning Danko V.V.), the High Council of Justice decided to forward to the President of Ukraine submission regarding dismissal of two judges from office because of oath violation, in particular: DANKO Volodymyr Volodymyrovych – judge of Kominternivskyy district court of Kharkiv; VOLOSHIN Serhiy Olexandrovych – judge of Shevchenkivskyy district court of Chernivtsi. Also, the Council will make a submission to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on release of LESOGOROV Vitaly Mykolayovych, judge of economic court of Odessa region, from his position because of oath violation.
In addition, the High Council of Justice supported the submission of the Chairman of the Supreme Court of Ukraine Onopenko V.V. on forwarding submission to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the release of HUSAR Petro Pavlovich, a judge of the Kolomatsky district court of Kharkiv region, because of entering into force of conviction by a court.
Regarding the 18 judges suggestions of the other HCJ’s members regarding their release from office because of oath violation has been rejected. Also, a proposal concerning release of judges from office was withdrawn by the HCJ’s member.

June 21, 2010
The regular session of the High Council of Justice took place. 16 members of the Council participated in the session. At the beginning of the meeting the Chairman of the High Council of Justice Volodymyr Kolesnychenko handed a badge and a certificate of a member of the HCJ to Valery Khoroshkovsky, who first attended the Council session following his appointment by presidential decree and taking the oath of the HCJ member in the Parliament.
Upon consideration of the agenda issues the High Council of Justice decided to forward submissions to the President of Ukraine on the appointment of 39 candidates to the positions of judges. In particular: three – for judges of appeal courts, 11 – for the positions of judges of local administrative courts, seven – in the local economic courts, 18 – in the local general courts. Nine candidates for the positions of judges were refused in making submissions regarding their appointment.
After reviewing the materials of additional verifications conducted by the State Court Administration of Ukraine, the Council decided to forward again submissions to the President of Ukraine regarding appointment of five candidates to the positions of judges.
Having considered the proposals of HCJ members Onopenko V.V. (concerning Pampura O.I. and Tyuhtiy P.M.), Kudryavtseva V.V. (concerning Derevliova O.O.), Kuzmina R.R. (concerning Zaborovsky V.S.), Medvedko O.I. (concerning Korshenko Y.O.), which were done after verification of information given in the claims of People's deputies of Ukraine, officials and citizens, the High Council of Justice decided to forward submissions to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine regarding dismissal of five judges from office for oath violation. In particular: PAMPURA Oleg Ivanovych – as a judge of the Arbuzinskyy district court, Mykolaiv region; TYUHTIYA Pavlo Mykolayovych – judge of the Makarov district court of Kyiv region; DEREVLIOVA Olena Olexandrivna – judge of Artemovsky regional court, Donetsk region; ZABOROVSKY Viktor Stepanovych – judge of Mukachevo regional court of Zakarpattya region; KORSHENKO Yuri Olexandrovich – judge of Economic Court of Poltava region. Also on the recommendation of the Qualification Commission of Judges of General Courts, Zaporizhzhya appeal district, and proposal of the member of the High Council of Justice V.M. Kolesnychenko, the Council will make a presentation to the President of Ukraine regarding dismissal of MINYAYLO Nataliya Stanislavivna from duties of the judge of Mykhailiv district court, Zaporizhzhya region, for oath violation.
Five other HCJ members’ suggestions and recommendation of the Qualification Commission of Judges of General Courts of Zhytomyr appeal district regarding dismissal of judges from office because of oath violation were postponed. Consideration of other similar issues on the agenda was postponed for various reasons.
The High Council of Justice satisfied the claim of the judge of Korolivskyy district court of Zhytomyr, Syngaivskyy O.P., concerning the decision of the Qualification Commission of Judges of General Courts, Zhytomyr aappeal district, on bringing disciplinary proceedings against him and abolished the commission’s decision. The HCJ dismissed a complaint of the judge of Mykhailivskyy district court, Zaporizhzhya region, Minyaylo N.S. regarding the decision of the Qualification Commission of Judges of General Courts, Zaporizhzhya appeal district and rejected her application for the renewal of the period to appeal the decision of the Qualification Commission of Judges. Also, the Council refused to take complaints from the Chairman of the Council of Judges of Donetsk Region Bugrym L.M. to the decision of the Qualification Commission of Judges of General Courts, Donetsk appeal district, concerning refusal to open a disciplinary proceedings regarding the judge of Voroshilov district court of Donetsk Knyazkov V.V.
In addition, the member of the High Council of Justice Onopenko V.V. withdrawn proposal for submission to release Ovcharenko N.G. as a judge of the Kirov district court of Dnipropetrovsk city for oath violation.

June 7, 2010
The regular session of the High Council of Justice, where the decision was taken to forward to the President of Ukraine submissions regarding appointment of 17 candidates to the positions of judges, took place. In particular: two candidates were recommended to the positions of judges of local administrative courts and local economic courts, 12 – to local general courts, one – to the appeal court. Seven applicants were refused.
After consideration of the materials of additional verifications carried out by the State Court Administration of Ukraine, the High Council of Justice took a decision to re-introduce the President of Ukraine the submission on the appointment of four candidates to the positions of judges. One candidate was refused. Consideration of additional verification materials regarding two candidates was deferred pending receipt of all necessary documents.
The High Council of Justice also decided to forward submission regarding dismissal of two judges from their positions in resignation.
Having examined the proposals of HCJ members, made after consideration of information given in the claims of National Deputies of Ukraine, officials and citizens, the High Council of Justice took a decision to forward to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine submissions regarding dismissal from office because of oath violation of RYZHYKOV Vitaliy Hennadiyovych, judge of the Mukachevo city district court, Zakarpattya region, and PIZNYAHIVSKYY Fedir Mykolayovych, judge of the Svyatoshyno district court, the city of Kyiv. The Council will also forward to the President of Ukraine submissions regarding dismissal from office because of oath violation of three judges, namely, KOVZEL Petro Olegovych – from the position of the judge of Regional Administrative Court of Kyiv; RYKOV Vadym Volodymyrovych – from the position of the judge of Kovpakivskyy district court, the city of Summy; KORZACHENKO Volodymyr Mykolayovych – from the position of the judge of Nosivskyy district court, Chernigiv region. Another five proposals from HCJ members and recommendations of the qualification commissions of judges on the release of judges from duties because of oath violation were refused. Consideration of other these issues on the agenda was postponed for various reasons.
The High Council of Justice satisfied the claim of the judge of local military court, MUKHANOV Oleg Oleksandrovych, on the Qualification Commission of Judges of Military Courts decision concerning his bringing to disciplinary liability and abolished this Commission’s decision. HCJ denied to satisfy claims of two judges on the decisions of qualification commissions of general courts of Zaporizhzhya and Sevastopol Appeal Districts.

May 26, 2010
The regular session of the High Council of Justice took place, where participated 17 of 20 HCJ’s members. After agenda’s consideration the decision was taken to forward to the President of Ukraine submissions regarding appointment of 20 candidates to the positions of judges. Namely: seven – to the positions of judges of local administrative courts, one – to the positions of judge of local economic court, 12 – to local general courts. Two candidates were refused.
After consideration of the materials of additional verifications, done by the State Court Administration of Ukraine, the High Council of Justice took decision to submit to the President of Ukraine submissions regarding appointment of three candidates to the positions of judges.
The High Council of Justice also took the decision to forward submissions regarding dismissal of two judges from office because of their resignation.
Having considered HCJ’s members proposals, submitted after verification of information given in the claims of National Deputies of Ukraine, officials and citizens of Ukraine, the High Council of Justice took the decision to forward submissions to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine regarding dismissal from office of 10 judges because of oath violation, namely: BARANENKO Igor Ivanovych from office of the judge of Kyiv appeal administrative court; VOLKOV Oleksandr Fedorovych from office of the judge of the Supreme Court of Ukraine; BABYCH Nina Dmytrivna from office of the judge of Svyatoshyno district court, Kyiv; OSTAHNOVYCH Andriy Valentynovych from office of the judge of Fastiv city district court, Kyiv region; PALAMARCHUK Valentyna Ivanivna from office of the judge of Zguriv district court, Kyiv region; MISHENKO gennadiy Avtonomovych from office of the judge of Voroshylov district court Donetsk; SMILYANETS Valentyna Vasylivna from office of the judge of economic court of Kyiv; KYSELIOVA Tetyana Mykolaivna from office of the judge of Shpola district court, Cherkasy region; SHUDRA Viktor Ivanovych from office of the judge of Semenivsk district court Poltava region; STASOVSKA Ludmyla Ivanivna from office of the judge of Zavodskyy district court, Dniprodzerzhynsk, Dnipropetrovsk region. The Council resubmitted to the President of Ukraine submission regarding dismissal of CHUBENKO Leonid Ivanovych from office of the judge of Dnipropetrovsk district court, Dnipropetrovsk region, because of oath violation.
The High Council of Justice declined proposals of the HCJ’s members concerning forwarding submissions on release from duties because of oath violation of seven judges. The Council adopted results of verifications with the conclusions on absence of reasons for such submissions concerning 11 judges.
At the end of the session the High Council of Justice satisfied the application of Stepan Gavrysh on his HCJ’s member termination of powers. Stepan B. Gavrysh was appointed as the member of the High Council of Justice by the President of Ukraine Decree on September 25, 2004. As the HCJ’s member he took his oath at the plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on October 7, 2004.

May 17, 2010
The regular session of the High Council of Justice of Ukraine took place. 18 of 20 members of the Council took part in the session. In the beginning of the session Chairman of the HCJ Volodymyr Kolesnychenko has handed over Certificate of the Member of the HCJ Renat Kuzmin. He for the first time took part in session of Council after his appointment to this post by the Decree of the President of Ukraine and he took his oath in Parliament.
Members of the High Council of Justice have taken into account the information of Chairman of the High Council of Justice about the termination of powers of Anton Chernushenko as a member of the HCJ, his six-year term has ended on May, 14th, 2010. The High Council of Justice has made changes to the structure of the Council's sections.- Valentyna Paliy has entered in disciplinary section; Renat Kuzmin and Serhiy Safulko have entered in section of preparation of representations for initial appointment of judges and their release from duties.
After consideration of the agenda the decision was taken to forward to the President of Ukraine submissions regarding appointment of 27 candidates to the positions of judges. Namely, one candidate to the position of judge of appeal court, 6 – local administrative courts, 7 – local economic court, 13 – local general courts. 4 candidates were refused.
Having considered the results of additional verifications, held by the State Court Administration of Ukraine, the High Council of Justice of Ukraine decided to forward to the President of Ukraine submission on appointment of 11 candidates to the positions of judges repeatedly.
The Council also took a decision to forward submissions regarding dismissal of 15 judges from office on general reasons - on their own decision, health reasons etc.
As a result of the consideration of the recommendations of Qualification Commissions of general courts, Dnipropetrovsk appeal district the decision was taken to forward to the Verkhovma Rada of Ukraine submissions regarding the dismissal of Mushtat Antonyna Mykolaivna, the judge of Synelnykivsky district court, Dnipropetrovsk region, from office because of oath violation. By the recommendations of the HCJ’s members and after consideration of materials of verification was taken a decision to forward to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine submissions regarding the dismissal of judges of Malinovsky district court, Odesa: Demchenko Olexandr Mykolayovych and Savinska Iryna Olexandrivna; judges of District administrative court of Kyiv: Bachun Oleh Volodymyrovych and Kyshynsky Mykola Ivanovych; judge of Appeal court of Kyiv Polischuk Svitlana Volodymyrivna from their positions because of oath violation. The Council also took a decision to forward to the President of Ukraine submissions regarding dismissal of 2 judges from office because of oath violation: judge of Uman local-district court, Cherkasy region, Starodub Oleh Valentynovych; judge of Irshavsky district court, Zakarpatsky region, Kavky Ivan Ivanovych.
The High Council of Justice found no reasons for the dismissal from office because of oath violation of 3 judges of local general courts; 7 judges of appeal economic courts; 6 judges of High economic court of Ukraine and adopted results of verifications done by the HCJ’s members, given in the claims of officials and Ukraine's citizens concerning these judges. Also the Council found no reasons to open disciplinary procedure concerning one judge of the High administrative court of Ukraine and 3 judges of the High economic court of Ukraine.

April 19, 2010
The regular session of the High Council of Justice of Ukraine took place. In the beginning of session Chairman of the High Council of Justice Volodymyr Kolesnychenko has declared resolution of the Decision of District administrative court of Kyiv (April 19th, 2010) according to which Valentine Paliy is reinstate on a position of member of the of High Council of Justice.
Also the decision of VIII extraordinary Congress of judges of Ukraine (June 26th, 2007) about the termination of its powers as member of the HCJ and about appointment of Olexander Volkov as a member of the HCJ is recognized illegal and abolished. In connection with immediate execution of the decision of court regarding reinstating of Paliy V.M. on a position of the HCJ's member, Valentina Paliy was invited to the session of the HCJ. Volkov O.F. did not participate in session of the Council.
After agenda's consideration the decision was taken to forward submissions to the President of Ukraine regarding appointment of 20 candidates to the positions of judges, namely, 2 candidates to the positions of judges of appeal courts, 4 – positions of judges of local administrative courts, 1 - positions of judges of local economic courts, 13 persons - positions of judges of local general courts. Three candidates were refused.
Repeatedly, after consideration of additional verifications held by State Court Administration there was taken the decision to forward to the President of Ukraine submissions regarding appointment of 4 candidates to judges.
The Council also took a decision to forward submissions regarding dismissal of 6 judges from office on general reasons - on their own decision. Having considered the judge's of appeal court (Ternopil region) Derkach Lydiya Ivanivna resignation, the Council has decided to award her with Honorary Decoration of the High Council of Justice for long-term diligent work in court.
Besides, Council will return to Chairman of the Supreme Court of Ukraine and chairmen of the high specialized courts materials concerning forwarding to the HCJ submissions regarding dismissal of 3 judges from office in connection with the termination.
High Council of Justice declined the recommendations of the members of the HCJ for the dismissal of 12 judges from office because of oath violation.
The High Council of Justice adopted results of verifications done by the HCJ’s members, given in the claims of officials and Ukraine's citizens concerning 19 judges.
In the end of session the Council has considered the assignment of the President of Ukraine by the results of meeting with members of the High Council of Justice, March 30th, 2010.

March 30, 2010
The meeting of the Head of state was taken place with a renewed membership of the High Council of Justice of Ukraine. Viktor Yanukovych stressed that the judicial system reforming is a significant task for today. “The main task is the strengthening of the democracy, Rule of law and real protection of human rights and freedoms”, – as requires the European Convention on Human rights and Freedoms”, – stressed the President of Ukraine in his opening speech. “This question appeared not today. The reforming of judicial system has been lasted in our country for a long time, but we are moving very slowly in this way. This is undoubtedly inadmissible. I would like the members of the High Council of Justice of Ukraine to join to this process too, so that their point of view will be taken into account”, – mentioned he.
The Head of state expressed his hope that renewed membership of the High Council of Justice of Ukraine would work hard and would not took a lot of time to join around of solving the urgent questions. “The members of the High Council of Justice of Ukraine have an experience, high professional level, so I am sure that you will be able to keep yourself from any dependence or irrelevant influence”, – said V. Yanukovych.
The President of Ukraine also paid the members’ of meeting attention to necessity of proper procedure of selection on judge position. Having noted that there are lots of shortcomings in this procedure – it is not clear and often depends on different human factors, in particular, protectionism and so on. Furthermore, a new system of competitive grounds of judges’ appointment has not been introduced yet.
According to the words of the members of the High Council of Justice, the main efforts must be focused on improvement of the legislation that regulates the Council’s activity. As mentioned the Chairman of the High Council of Justice Volodymyr Kolesnychenko, for 12 years of working the High Council of Justice became an important and necessary part of mechanism of supplying the selection of judges’ candidates on new high-grade level. “It was made a lot for cleaning of the judicial system from judges – the oath violation, said he. – But the Council has not become a filter yet, that would make completely impossible to appoint on the judges’ position by the President of the Ukraine those candidates, who are unable to hold this high post”. It goes in particular about the necessity of an improvement the procedure of judges’ personnel selection through creation of legal grounds for much careful check of professional, business and moral qualities of the candidates and so on. “It is vitally necessary to improve the mechanism of verification the claims of public officials, the state bodies and the citizens that contain information about the grounds for judge’s dismissal from their position including the oath violation, provided by the Constitution of Ukraine”, – he said. According to the words of V. Kolesnychenko, determined by the law mechanism of bringing judges to responsibility is very difficult and permanent and does not allow reacting operatively on discovered violations. Working under proposals to the new edit of the Law on Judicial System, the Chairman of the High Council of Justice at one time suggested to institute the judicial inspections under the High Council of Justice which would consist of judges in retirement. One more novel of changes to the existing legislation may become provided by law mechanism of the judges’ appointment on administrative positions and others.
“The Meeting which we conduct now is a beginning of our collaboration. I would like it to be system”, – summarized V. Yanukovych. Also he mentioned that would expect the concrete propositions from the members of the High Council of Justice that would be introduced before the Working Group on Judicial Reform issues till the middle of the next week.

March 29, 2010
The regular session of the High Council of Justice of Ukraine took place. In the beginning of session changes to structure of section have been made.Valentyn Barbara, Valery Bondyk, Oexander Volkov, Victor Kudryavtsev, Olexander Lavrynovych, Olexander Medvedko, Vasyl Onopenko, Victor Pshonka, Sergiy Safulko and Volodymyr Shapoval have entered in disciplinary section. Volodymyr Kolesnychenko, Volodymyr Vysotsky, Stepan Gavrish, Volodymyr Zavalniuk, Lidiya Izovitova, Sergiy Kivalov, Kostyantyn Kravchenko, Viktor Kryvenko, Andriy Portnov, Anton Chernushenko have entered in section of preparation of representations for initial appointment of judges and their release from duties.
After agenda's consideration the decision was taken to forward submissions to the President of Ukraine regarding appointment of 52 candidates to the positions of judges, namely, 3 candidates to the positions of judges of appeal courts, 16 – positions of judges of local administrative courts, 4 - positions of judges of local economic courts, 29 persons - positions of judges of local general courts. 11 candidates were refused.
Repeatedly, after consideration of additional verifications held by State Court Administration there was taken the decision to forward to the President of Ukraine submissions regarding appointment of 12 candidates to judges.
The Council also took a decision to forward submissions regarding dismissal of 15 judges from office on general reasons - on their own decision, health reasons etc. In particular, the High Council of Justice took to forward submission to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine concerning Kolesnychenko Volodymyr Nikolaevich dismissal from the post of judge of Pechersk district court, city of Kiev, in connection with submission of the application for resignation.
Also, the Council will forward submission regarding dismissal from office judge of Drohobych local-district court, Lviv region, Kalichak Vasyl Mykolayovych because of entry into force of conviction as for him.
Besides, the High Council of Justice declined the recommendation of the member of the HCJ Viktor Kudriavtsev and two recommendations of Qualification Commissions of Odesa and Kharkiv appeal districts for the dismissal of 3 judges from office because of oath violation.
The High Council of Justice adopted results of verifications done by the HCJ’s members, given in the claims of officials and Ukraine's citizens concerning 10 judges and found no reasons for the their dismissal from office.
The HCJ satisfied claims of two judges, having abolished the Qualification Commissions’ of Judges of General Courts (Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv appeal districts), and Qualification Commission of Judges of Administrative Courts of Ukraine decisions. Five claims of judges on decisions of Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv and Lviv appeal districts were rejected.
After consideration of materials of verifications done by the HCJ’s members, given in the claims of officials and Ukraine's citizens, the Council admitted inexpediently to open disciplinary procedure concerning two judges of the Supreme Court of Ukraine and the judge of the High administrative court of Ukraine.

March 22, 2010
The session of the High Council of Justice of Ukraine on organizational issues took place. All 20 members of the Council took part in session. In the beginning of the session Chairman of the HCJ has awarded new appointed members with breastplates of the HCJ: Volodymyr Vysotsky, Andriy Portnov, Victor Pshonka, Volodymyr Shapoval.
The Council has stopped power of members Vlolodymyr Andreytsev, Serhiy Kivalov, Victor Medvedchuk, Olga Zhukovska, Lydiya Izovitova, Victor Kudryavtsev, Renat Kuzmin in connection with the expiration of term of office, and Mykola Onishchuk – in connection with dismissing from post of Minister of Justice of Ukraine.
However in the renovated composition of the Council Lydia Izovitova, Serhiy Kivalov and Viktor Kudriavtsev, who are appointed as members of the HCJ to new six-year term by congresses of lawyers and representatives of legal higher educational institutions and scientific institutes, and also by the All-Ukrainian conference of public prosecutors, will continue their work in the HCJ. Besides, Olexander Lavrinovich, Minister of Justice of Ukraine became member of the HCJ ex-officio.
Also the Council decided to dismiss Lidiya Izovitova from the post of Chairman of the High Council of Justice because of expiration of the three-year term of office. Besides, Volodymyr Andrejtsev has been dismissed from post of the Deputy Chairman of the High Council of Justice in connection with the termination of powers as member of the HCJ.
According to the agenda the Council conducted elections of a new leader of the HCJ. As a result of secret voting of the members of the HCJ, Volodymyr Kolesnychenko was elected to the post of the Chairman of the High Council of Justice of Ukraine, Lydiya Izovitova was elected Deputy Chairman of the HCJ.

February 16, 2010
The regular session of the High Council of Justice of Ukraine took place. After consideration of the agenda the decision was taken to forward to the President of Ukraine submissions regarding appointment of 63 candidates to the positions of judges. Namely, two candidates to the positions of judges of appeal courts, 15 – local administrative courts, one – local economic court, 45 – local general courts. Having considered the results of additional verifications, held by the State Court Administration of Ukraine, the High Council of Justice of Ukraine decided to forward to the President of Ukraine submission on appointment of 15 candidates to the positions of judges. 8 candidates were refused.
The High Council of Justice of Ukraine took the decision to forward submissions regarding dismissals of 17 judges from office on general reasons, namely, in resignation, on their own initiative and for poor health.
The High Council of Justice of Ukraine will also forward submission regarding dismissal of judge Kovalchuk Mykola Mykolayovych, Nahimovskyy district court, Sevastopol, and Stetsyuk Vasyl Vasylyovych, Kamyanets-Podilskyy city district court, Khmelnytskyy region, because of verdict of "guilty" brought in by a court.
The High Council of Justice of Ukraine decided to forward submission regarding dismissal of Taranova Olena Pavlivna from position of the judge of Leninskyy district court, Lugansk, because of oath violation.
The Council found no reasons for dismissal because of oath violation of 24 judges and adopted the results of HCJ’s members examination of information given in the requests of National Deputies of Ukraine, officials and claims of Ukraine’s citizens concerning these judges.
There was also adopted the report of Lidiya IZOVITOVA, the Chairman of the High Council of Justice, on the results of the Council's activities in 2009 and on the use of the budgetary funds foreseen for the HCJ in 2009 on execution of the budgetary program "Formation of the judicial corps and control under its activities".