The IDLO “Supporting Independence, Accountability, and Effectiveness of the Judiciary of Ukraine” Project
The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1988 that promotes the Rule of Law and sustainable development, provides assistance to people and communities with asserting their rights, and consults governments of partner-countries concerning implementation of the Rule of Law. The IDLO network includes thousands of experts working in more than 90 countries around the world.
On December 19, 2024, the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) signed a Joint Action Plan for the implementation of the International Technical Assistance Project “Supporting Independence, Accountability, and Effectiveness of the Judiciary of Ukraine”. The project will include activities aimed at strengthening the integrity, efficiency and transparency of the judicial selection and evaluation procedures.
Project implementation period: August 6, 2024 – August 5, 2026.
Development Partner: U.S. Government through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), U.S. Department of State, INL Section of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.
Project goal: advance judicial reform in Ukraine.
Task of the Project: provide technical, logistical, and expert assistance aimed at strengthening integrity, effectiveness, and transparency of the judgeship selection and vetting of sitting judges through:
- Supporting the establishment and facilitating the work of the Public Council of International Experts (PCIE);
- Assisting with the establishment and management of the PCIE Secretariat;
- Supporting the HQCJ and PCIE with organizing an open and merit-based competition for the vacant High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) judgeship positions;
- Support with facilitation of the introduction of the unified integrity evaluation standards and mechanisms and tools for judgeship competitions, qualification evaluation and vetting of sitting judges;
- Assisting the HQCJ with the reorganization of the HQCJ Secretariat, including the development of the integrity evaluation capabilities;
- Support with enforcement of the legislation revising the content of declarations of integrity of judges and their verification process, including Supreme Court judges;
- Support with facilitation of the competition for the vacant positions of Supreme Court judges;
- Assisting with the establishment and operationalization of the specialized High Administrative Court;
- Facilitating the revision and improvement of existing legislation knowledge tests and development of new tests on legislation and practical legal cases for judgeship competition and qualification evaluation procedures;
- Contributing to the development of new tests on the knowledge of the history of the Ukrainian statehood;
- Supporting the customization and maintenance of the digital platform for administering multiple choice question tests;
- Providing logistical support to organizing tests and interviews as part of the judgeship competition and qualification evaluation procedures, including through renting IT, network and CCTV equipment, office furniture and premises, other logistical means;
- Supporting the development of a comprehensive e-justice strategy and the respective action plan;
- Drafting amendments to the national legislation and carrying out advocacy work;
- Supporting awareness raising campaigns for the judicial competitions.
Methodical, consulting, logistical and technical support is to be provided within the Project.
The Project is expected to have an impact on the development of the judiciary in Ukraine, namely, to strengthen the independence, accountability, and efficiency of the judiciary and to improve the performance of Ukrainian courts.