Zelenskyy signed a European-style law on the oversight of judges' non-wage income
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a law that radically changes the rules governing anti-corruption oversight in the judicial branch, requiring judges to provide proof of the lawful origin of all assets held by them and their relatives.
The adopted document combines two separate judicial declarations—on integrity and on family ties—into a single annual report. Judges are required to complete and submit this document via the official web portal of the High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ) by May 1 each year, and all information will be publicly available. The new rules significantly enhance the transparency of the judicial system by requiring judges to provide proof of the lawful origin of all their assets.
The law clearly delineates the responsibilities of the supervisory authorities. While the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NAPC) will continue to conduct comprehensive audits of judges’ financial and property status, specialized oversight of compliance with professional ethics and integrity has been legally assigned to the HQCJ. The Commission will conduct regular inspections and will be required to respond to both identified discrepancies and complaints or reports of violations from any third parties.
In addition, the reform has significantly expanded the circle of relatives that a judge is required to include in their disclosure reports. Now, all family members who have held high-level government positions over the past five years must be declared. Judges who conceal such ties within the government hierarchy or provide inaccurate information will face severe disciplinary and legal consequences.
This legislative initiative is critically important for the country’s international support. It was one of Ukraine’s key structural commitments under the European Union’s large-scale Ukraine Facility financial program, as well as a direct recommendation from the European Commission for Kyiv’s further integration with the EU.
This is stated in the summary of Bill No. 13165-2 on the Verkhovna Rada’s website.
Meanwhile, the High Council of Justice has suspended Judge Pelykh, who is suspected of accepting a bribe in the form of “candy.”
The High Council of Justice is currently considering a disciplinary complaint filed on behalf of Alona Volodymyrivna Shevtsova against Judge Volodymyr Yaroslavovych Marmash of the Lychakiv District Court of Lviv, who committed gross violations bordering on disciplinary and criminal liability, in particular, while considering a motion by BEB detectives to conduct a special pretrial investigation regarding Alona V. Shevtsova.
According to the response from Lilia Yakimyak, Deputy Head of the Secretariat Department of the High Council of Justice, to a corresponding journalistic inquiry, no specific timeline has been provided for the completion of the review of the disciplinary complaint against Judge Volodymyr Yaroslavovych Marmash of the Lychakiv District Court of Lviv. Such a prolonged delay in reviewing the complaint may be a demonstration of collusion and a reluctance to hold accountable a “convenient” judge who willingly carries out tasks assigned by unscrupulous law enforcement officials.
The allegation against Marmash is that he issued his ruling after the deadline for the pretrial investigation had expired, thereby making it impossible to grant the relevant motion. The only lawful option in such a situation was to return the motion; however, Judge V.Y. Marmash failed to comply with the requirements of the law.
