New rules introduced for judges: one declaration instead of two, checks up to 3 years, and 6 months for complaint review
As the "Judicial and Legal Newspaper" reported, the Verkhovna Rada adopted in the second reading bill No. 13165-2, which changes the procedure for judges to submit declarations of integrity and family ties.
The document provides for the reform of the judges' accountability system and the introduction of a unified declaration with a clearly defined submission deadline.
As the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Policy reported, currently judges submit an asset declaration to the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), as well as separate declarations of family ties and integrity. The new law combines the last two documents into one and establishes a single procedure and deadlines for submission.
In addition, the list of statements in this declaration has been reviewed and expanded. It introduces statements recognizing the state sovereignty of Ukraine over its entire territory and the absence of any cooperation with the aggressor country.
The law also establishes clear deadlines for reviewing complaints regarding the inaccuracy of data in the declaration. Now such a complaint must be reviewed within 6 months, and the High Qualification Commission of Judges must make a decision. If a violation is found, the consequence will be disciplinary liability of the judge.
The declaration can be checked within three years after its submission.
It is separately noted that, according to OECD estimates, Ukraine has ensured 97% of the integrity criteria in the judicial sphere at the regulatory level and 92% implementation of the relevant norms.
The bill is also included in the commitments under the Ukraine Facility program, which provides macro-financial support from partners.
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