The bill sets the legislative fundamentals of judicial system and status of judges in Ukraine. The Committee members singled out the following aims of the bill: reforms of the judicial system on the grounds of international standards; enhancement of the social role and status of judges; guarantee of independence of judges of any influence; improvement of citizens´ access to court.
To enhance the system of courts of general jurisdiction, the bill (Reg. No. 6450) establishes the Higher Specialized Court of Ukraine in charge of civil and criminal cases, which shall function as a court of cassation as the Higher Administrative Court and the Higher Economic Court.
The number of judges of the Supreme Court is reduced from twenty to five. Every judge shall represent specialized jurisdictions (civil, criminal, economic and administrative).
The bill envisages obligatory appointment of judges elected for a permanent term to the office of members of the Higher Councils of Justice.
The bill also enhances and optimizes the procedure of instituting disciplinary proceedings against the judges.
The legislative act liquidates territorial qualifications commissions, transferring their authorities to the Higher Qualifications Commission of Judges of Ukraine, which enhances consideration of issues related to disciplinary responsibility.
To enhance efficiency of the Higher Qualifications Commission of Judges of Ukraine, the bill establishes administrative responsibility for non-response or untimely response to the inquiry of the Higher Qualifications Commission of Judges of Ukraine and its members.