This Law is aimed at strengthening the oversight of judicial integrity by updating the mechanism for submitting and verifying declarations. It consolidates the declaration of integrity and the declaration of family ties into a single document, which judges are required to submit annually by May 1. The Law clearly defines the list of persons considered to be relatives and expands the scope of information subject to disclosure. It also establishes a procedure for the verification of this data by the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine (HQCJ) and defines the consequences for submitting inaccurate information.<\/p>\n
**Structure and Key Provisions:**
\nThe Law amends the Law “On the Judiciary and the Status of Judges” and the Law “On the High Council of Justice.” The main changes concern:
\n* **Consolidation of declarations:** Instead of two separate documents, a single “Declaration of Integrity and Family Ties” has been introduced.
\n* **Expansion of the scope of disclosure:** Judges must now report on family ties with a wide range of officials (including representatives of law enforcement agencies, the Office of the President, anti-corruption bodies, etc.) over the last 5 years.
\n* **Verification procedure:** The procedure for conducting verification by the HQCJ is regulated in detail, including the rights of the judge during this process and the possibility of appealing the Commission\u2019s decisions in an administrative court.
\n* **Liability:** Failure to submit, untimely submission, or the inclusion of inaccurate information constitutes grounds for disciplinary liability.<\/p>\n
**Important Provisions for Practical Application:**
\n1. **Publicity:** Declarations are public and are published on the HQCJ website, which ensures public oversight.
\n2. **Verification timelines:** The HQCJ may initiate the verification of a declaration no later than three years from the date of its submission. The verification itself must be completed within six months.
\n3. **Presumption of accuracy:** Information provided in the declaration is deemed accurate until proven otherwise.
\n4. **Disciplinary aspect:** If the inaccuracy of the data is confirmed, the materials are forwarded to the body responsible for disciplinary proceedings to resolve the issue of initiating a disciplinary case.
\n5. **Candidates for the position:** Similar requirements regarding the submission of declarations apply to candidates for the position of judge, with the reporting period for them being 5 years.<\/p>\n
**** (As the law introduces amendments to legislation concerning the status of judges and disciplinary procedures, which are an integral part of the judiciary).<\/p>\n