The Ministry of Justice has announced plans to introduce a mediation procedure to be applied when examining criminal, civil and economic court cases

A sstudy has found that judges quite often restrict access to information which according to the law is open. On the other hand members of the media are not sufficiently aware of the individual’s right to privacy

According to the results of the “Hidna Ukraina” project, 59% in western regions of Ukraine believe corruption in the judiciary is extremely widespread. This view is held by 64% of those surveyed in eastern regions; 66% in central and 67% in southern regions

KHPG legal expert Arkady Bushchenko calls the new legislative initiative an attempt to transfer the problem from the patient to a healthy person. There are laws, they need to be made to work.

On 30 May the Verkhovna Rada passed a Resolution stating that the High Court of Justice would temporarily take over the functions of appointment and dismissal of judges to administrative posts

The Supreme Court has issued a statement sharply criticizing the Resolution passed by the Verkhovna Rada on procedure for appointing judges which it says will seriously increase pressure and interference in the court’s work

“The case was closed due to the non-appearance of the respondent” is just one of the stages in this surreal, although unfortunately true, tale of a journalist’s efforts to stand up for his rights and those of the public to receive objective information

PACE welcomes the tabling in parliament of a number of draft laws which allow for fundamental changes to the court system in Ukraine, however is concerned by numerous reservations from the Supreme Court which some parliamentarians seem to be using to drag out the reform

A recent study showed that while most journalists consider reform of the judiciary to be one of the highest priorities for society, their assessment of actual progress and of relations between the press and courts in Ukraine is worryingly low

While in present conditions, the Verkhovna Rada’s consent to the arrest of a corrupt judge was by no means guaranteed, it is probably a drop in the ocean given the likely level of corruption within the Ukrainian judiciary

With property rights weakly protected in Ukraine, there are all too many conflicts between the authorities and individuals, civic organizations, creative unions, etc. These can be won, but perseverance is needed

The author believes the time is long overdue to stop the endless empty chatter and begin real reform

One would like to laugh over this truly surreal saga however the picture it paints of court corruption and (apparent) impunity renders even a smile impossible

The recent ruling on an administrative suit filed by the victim of an attack against the police for their refusal to launch a criminal investigation is a positive move for a Ukrainian court and hopefully a lesson for the police

It is staggering that the President should have agreed to such a manifestly dubious legal step. Particularly given that the Constitutional Court may declare these very changes to be unconstitutiona

Two promising pieces of legislation give the opportunity to really exercise ones rights, and this recent seminar discussed ways of doing just that

The anonymous survey presents some cheering findings, as does the cooperation the local group encountered, however the level of ignorance about Ukraine’s international commitments is disturbing

The proposed new law recognizes the right to alternative service of those who on moral grounds reject the use of violence.