HCJ confirms compliance with criteria of professional ethics of all judges appointed by Zelensky – President's Office

KYIV. Dec 3 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The High Council of Justice (HCJ), evaluating the ideas about the appointment of judges, which were received by the President of Ukraine, ascertained the compliance of the candidates with the requirements of virtue and professional ethics, the press service of the head of state said.

"In all the submissions on the appointment of judges received by the President of Ukraine, the High Council of Justice, by its decision, stated that there was no reasonable doubt about the compliance of candidates for the office of a judge with the criterion of virtue or professional ethics or other circumstances that could affect public confidence in the judiciary due to the appointment of a judge," the President’s Office said.

Such conclusions of the HCJ were made based on the results of consideration of decisions of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine on the suitability of candidates for the position of a judge based on the results of qualification assessment.

At the same time, it is noted that the fact of appointment to the position of a judge does not give immunity from prosecution, including criminal liability, for offenses.

"The head of state expects that with the active participation of a concerned part of society, the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine and the High Council of Justice will be renewed as soon as possible, which will become the key to the formation of a respectable and highly professional judiciary," the President’s Office said.

During his tenure, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed more than 800 judges.