Before joining the EU, Ukraine must establish a gold standard for the selection of judges
Ukraine has officially launched negotiations on EU accession within the framework of Cluster 1, “Fundamentals of the EU Accession Process,” which defines the basic conditions for European integration.
The opening took place on June 15 in Luxembourg and marked an important political milestone for the country.
The cluster operates on a “first open, last closed” basis, meaning it remains open throughout the entire negotiation process, and Chapter 23, “Judiciary and Fundamental Rights,” will accompany Ukraine until the very end of the negotiations.
Brussels emphasizes that without an independent, effective, and accountable judiciary, progress in other areas is impossible.
The EU assesses the reform not only based on laws but on the actual functioning of the system, specifically the independence of the judiciary
, the integrity of judges, the effectiveness of the anti-corruption system, and the state’s ability to combat corruption.
A key achievement has been the resumption of the work of judicial administration bodies and the introduction of competitions involving international experts.
“International participation serves as a temporary compensator for the weakness of domestic institutions of trust.”
Ukraine has developed a strategic reform document that includes indicators and implementation timelines.
It is not a law but serves as a management tool for implementing reforms
The creation of the Judicial Disciplinary Commission (JDC) unblocked the review of complaints against judges and became one of the key benchmarks of the reform.
By the end of 2026, Ukraine must resolve at least 50 percent of pending disciplinary proceedings
Electronic judge dossiers, automation of personnel procedures, and a reduction in manual influence on decisions are being introduced
The Public Integrity Council, international experts, and ethics commissions are involved in the selection of judges.
This is viewed as a temporary mechanism to boost confidence in the system
The EU expects consistent disciplinary practices, transparent complaint handling, and minimization of political influence.
The main requirements are the completion of the evaluation of judges, addressing the staffing shortage, and the high-quality selection of new candidates.
The EU requires the filling of vacant positions, the implementation of ethical standards, and the involvement of independent experts in the selection process.
An independent competitive selection process, protection of procedures from influence, and effective preparation of disciplinary materials are expected.
The EU evaluates not laws but the actual results of the system’s work.
“There cannot be a situation where a judge is dismissed for a minor violation but receives only a reprimand for systemic ones.”
European models of the judicial system
France
selection through the National School of Magistrates
a single corps of judges and prosecutors
rigorous professional selection
Germany
Two state exams
, an internship, and a probationary period
; continuous evaluation of candidates
Netherlands
psychological screening
simulation tests
public participation in evaluating court performance
The Ukrainian model already features a high level of transparency in competitions, including open interviews and the participation of international experts.
At the same time, the reform is taking place amid war and institutional restructuring, which explains the use of mixed oversight mechanisms.
Judicial reform remains a key condition for Ukraine’s European integration, and its success depends not only on legislation but on real changes in the judicial system’s operations and the level of public trust.
On June 15, Ukraine and the European Union officially launched accession negotiations by opening the first cluster, “Foundations of the EU Accession Process.” This marked the initial stage of the full negotiation process regarding the country’s future membership in the European Union.
As a reminder, the European Commission has not confirmed reports that Hungary has lifted its veto on €6.6 billion from the European Peace Facility, which is earmarked for military support to Ukraine. Brussels states that it currently has no confirmed information regarding the release of these funds.
Hungary’s new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, has made high-profile statements regarding the situation of the Hungarian national minority in Ukraine and the European Union’s future economic relations with the Russian Federation.
