HQCJ holds Skype conference with candidates for Public Council of International Experts

Ukraine's High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ) has held a Skype conference with candidates for the Public Council of International Experts (PCIE) that will take part in the process of selecting judges to the High Anti-Corruption Court.

"The interview-acquaintance is a practical step needed for the selection of six candidates from among best-qualified experts proposed by international organizations for the Public Council of International Experts," the HQCJ's press service quoted HQCJ Chairman Serhiy Kozyakov as saying.

According to the press service, the Skype conference with candidates was held at the premises of the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine with the support of the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative in Ukraine (EUACI) and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO).

During October 18-19, HQCJ members familiarized themselves with the previous and current experience of candidates for positions of judges, lawyers and prosecutors in different countries: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Lithuania, Guatemala, and Macedonia.

The report notes that many candidates have work experience in the field of law and personally participated in anti-corruption projects.

The HQCJ recalled that in accordance with Part 3 of Article 9 of the Law of Ukraine "On the High Anti-Corruption Court," the criteria for selecting candidates for the PCIE are impeccable business reputation, high professional and moral qualities, public authority, relevant work experience in other countries on the implementation of procedural guidance, the maintenance of state prosecution in court or the conduct of legal proceedings related to corruption.

The purpose of creating the PCIE is to assist the commission in conducting a competition to the High Anti-Corruption Court through the evaluation of candidates' integrity. The term of office of the composition of the Public Council of International Experts will be two years.

The HQCJ received from five international organizations a list of 12 candidates for the Public Council of International Experts, which will facilitate the selection of judges to the High Anti-Corruption Court. The HQCJ has to select six candidates.