UkraineS Judiciary Overwhelmed by Frivolous Complaints, Hindering Anti-Corruption Efforts
Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukraine’s decade-long struggle to reform its deeply corrupt judicial system is being hampered by a flood of frivolous complaints, creating a backlog that threatens to paralyze progress. Despite significant steps forward – including the dismissal of 48 judges in 2024 alone for offenses ranging from collusion with Russia to bribery [[1]] – the system is buckling under the weight of over 13,000 complaints against its roughly 4,400 judges.
The issue stems from an overly accessible complaint system established by the High Council of Justice, intended to ensure transparency and accountability. Though, critics argue this accessibility is being exploited.While some complaints allege serious offenses like treason and corruption – exemplified by the arrest of the Supreme Court head over a $2.7 million bribe and the dismissal of judges accused of aiding Russia [[1]] – many are trivial and unrelated to judicial conduct. Examples include complaints over delayed court hearings and even disputes about heating services.
To address the backlog, the High Council of Justice created the Service of disciplinary Inspectors in late 2024 . However, with only 18 inspectors processing approximately 20 new complaints daily, the task is monumental.
Former acting head of the High Council of Justice, Vitaliy Salikhov, warns that many complaints are filed to pressure judges or force recusal, exploiting a legal framework that allows charges for minor shortcomings. This creates an atmosphere of “infinite paralysis,” were judges fear making decisions. Moreover, a cottage industry has emerged, with individuals filing mass complaints for as little as a few hundred dollars, paid by those seeking to anonymously lodge grievances.
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