Ukraine Judges' Congress Elects New Members of High Council

The XX Congress of Judges of Ukraine concluded its session by electing Dmitro Kруподеря and Tетяна Спірідонова as members of the High Council of Justice (VRP). Kруподеря secured 135 votes while Спірідонова received 179 votes from the 259 delegates present.

Following their election, both candidates took an oath to formalize their positions. Kруподеря is currently a judge on the Donetsk Court of Appeal, and he has been assigned to the Dnipro Court of Appeal since October 2022, as per a decision from the Supreme Court's head.

Tетяна Спірідонова serves on the Khmelnytskyi Court of Appeal. Their election comes at a crucial time as the terms of two VRP members appointed by the parliament and one appointed by the academic community will come to an end in August.

The congress, running from March 10 to 12, included a significant agenda focused on crucial reforms within the judicial system. Among the key topics was the approval of amendments to the Code of Judicial Ethics and the election of members to the Judges' Council of Ukraine.

The congress is seen as a pivotal platform for advancing judicial governance and oversight in Ukraine. The head of the High Council of Justice, Hryhoriy Usyk, urged the delegates to take these elections seriously, emphasizing the importance of leadership within the council for maintaining judicial integrity.

As the congress progresses, it is expected to further tackle issues related to the functioning and responsibilities of the judiciary. The establishment of a robust High Council of Justice is vital for the promotion of judicial independence and accountability in Ukraine.

The new members will be instrumental in navigating the upcoming challenges faced by the judiciary, particularly amid significant legal reforms underway in the country.