Friday14 February 2025
kriminal-ua.info

Ukrainian Constitutional Court has lost its authority due to a shortage of judges, according to media reports.

Three judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine (CCU) have completed their tenure, the court announced on January 27.
СМИ сообщают, что Конституционный Суд Украины лишился своих полномочий из-за недостатка судей.

The Constitutional Court of Ukraine noted that today a ceremonial meeting took place to mark the end of the nine-year term of judges Viktor Kolesnik, Viktor Kryvenko, and Volodymyr Moisyka.

The release states that Kolesnik, Kryvenko, and Moisyka "carried out their activities aimed at strengthening the principle of the rule of law, protecting the constitutional order, and ensuring the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens."

"As of today, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine will temporarily operate with 11 judges. Therefore, the prompt appointment of new judges is extremely important so that the CCU continues to fully uphold the supremacy of the Constitution of Ukraine and protect human rights and freedoms," the court stated.

ZN.UA reports, citing sources, that Alexander Petrishin has become the acting chairman of the CCU as the oldest serving judge.

Insiders told the publication that Petrishin assumed the role of acting chairman after the CCU, on January 23, "once again failed to elect its chairman," as the candidacy of Viktor Horodovenko "was not even brought to a vote, which has been postponed indefinitely."

"Now the CCU can only conduct a new election procedure for its head when the necessary quorum is achieved – at least 12 judges. Currently, after the resignation of three judges, there are only 11 active judges remaining out of 18. As a result, the CCU has somewhat lost its authority. Thus, the Constitutional Court cannot convene a special plenary meeting to elect a chairman, nor can it hold sessions of the Grand Chamber to consider constitutional matters," writes ZN.UA.