HQCJ launches a major selection process for local court judges
On December 11, 2024, the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine (HQCJ) announced the start of the selection process for local court judges, with an anticipated 1,800 vacancies.
This recruitment effort is the largest to date for local courts and aims to establish a candidate reserve for nearly one-third of first-instance judicial positions.
The Ukrainian Bar Association, the largest professional legal association uniting over 7,000 members from all regions of Ukraine, has been working for 23 years to strengthen the rule of law and protect human rights. The UBA encourages its members to participate in this selection process and directly contribute to ensuring professional, ethical, and timely justice for Ukrainians.
All necessary information for preparing and submitting applications is available on the HQCJ website. The general requirements for candidates applying for judicial positions, including local court judges, are outlined in Article 69 of the Law of Ukraine "On the Judiciary and the Status of Judges."
“First-instance courts represent the true face of justice, where parties engage in adversarial proceedings. Citizens often form their opinions about the entire judicial system based on their experience with these courts,” noted Borys Hulko, Head of the Civil Cassation Court of the Supreme Court, during a press conference on December 13, 2024.
Selection process
Candidates who pass the qualification exam will be included in the reserve, which will remain active for two years. This means candidates will be eligible to participate in competitive procedures not only in 2025 but also in 2026 and 2027.
Key stages:
- Application Period: March 2025
- Qualification Exam: scheduled to begin in June 2025 and continue through August 2025
Key updates to the selection process
Legislative changes have introduced significant updates to streamline and enhance the efficiency of the process:
- Streamlined Selection Stages: Law No. 3511-IX reduces the number of selection stages to one qualification exam, eliminating the preliminary exam. Specialized training will now take place after the President appoints a candidate, lasting only a few months. Special verification will apply exclusively to candidates who pass the qualification exam.
- Horizontal Transfers: Local court judges can now transfer laterally within the same selection process, ensuring the best candidates are chosen.
- Reuse of Qualification Results: Candidates and sitting judges can reuse their qualification exam results in future local court selection or competition procedures.
In January-February 2025, the UBA, in partnership with the HQCJ, will organize a series of regional meetings for potential candidates interested in participating in the selection process. During these meetings, HQCJ members will address questions from prospective candidates. Dates and locations for these regional meetings will be announced on the UBA and HQCJ Facebook pages.