Deputy Head of the High Council of Justice Oksana Kvasha participated in the XIV Judicial Forum, during which strategic challenges and the future of justice were discussed.
During the session dedicated to judicial reform, she drew attention to the complexity and high emotional burden of the judge selection process. According to her, after undergoing interviews at the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine and the High Council of Justice, candidates may experience psychological fatigue; however, these procedures provide an opportunity to verify whether a person is ready for the challenges of the judicial profession. HCJ members, she emphasized, strive to be as tolerant as possible — both in the form and content of their questions.
The speaker also noted that certain procedures could be optimized. In her opinion, for candidates to appellate courts, a single interview would suffice to avoid duplication.
Oksana Kvasha explained that before interviews, HCJ members thoroughly analyze materials and, if necessary, send written inquiries to the candidate. If the response is comprehensive, the issue is removed from consideration; if not, it must be clarified during the interview.
She stressed that a future judge must be prepared for psychological stresses.
“Our interviews can be perceived as an initial stage that helps a person understand whether they are ready to work with complex and sometimes tragic human stories. I believe they prepare the future judge to handle even more painful information,” noted Oksana Kvasha.
Сourage is also one of the necessary traits. Among the candidates, there are those who live abroad, and during online interviews, the question arises of their readiness to return to Ukraine. The High Council of Justice seeks to overcome the staffing shortage in courts, so it is important to be confident that appointed candidates will actually work in Ukraine.
Kvasha emphasized that if questions during the interview concern health, family ties, or other sensitive topics, the HCJ may stop the live broadcast. Speaking about the honesty criterion, Oksana Kvasha noted that inconsistency in the candidate's explanations during interviews and in subsequent appeals raises legitimate doubts about their integrity.
Special attention was paid to issues of ethics and publicity. A judge, according to the speaker, is a public figure and must be a role model not only in professional activities but also in private life— a moral authority for society.
She emphasized that she optimistically assesses the progress of judge selection given the intensity of the work of the HQCJ and HCJ. At the same time, judicial governance bodies bear great responsibility: it is necessary to simultaneously meet the requirements of the Rule of Law Roadmap (by the IV quarter of 2026, at least 70% of vacant judge positions in local and appellate courts must be filled) and prevent the appointment of persons who do not meet integrity criteria, including those without a clear civic position.
Oksana Kvasha recalled that in December 2024, the High Council of Justice approved the Unified Indicators for Assessing Integrity and Professional Ethics of Judges and Candidates, developed after consultations with the HQCJ, the Council of Judges of Ukraine, and the Public Integrity Council. These indicators are an important tool both for evaluating candidates and for disciplinary practice regarding sitting judges.
The XIV Judicial Forum, held on November 27–28, 2025, by the Ukrainian Bar Association with the support of the EU Project “Pravo-Justice” and Expertise France, became a platform for developing solutions, exchanging experience, and determining further directions for the development of justice.
Photo: Ukrainian Bar Association