Quarterly Progress Report: FAIR, Accountable, Independent, and Responsible (FAIR) Judiciary Program in Ukraine

The project focuses on four main objectives: development of a legislative and regulatory framework for judicial reform, strengthening the accountability and transparency of key judicial institutions and operations, strengthening the professionalism and effectiveness of the Ukrainian judiciary, and strengthening the role of civil society organizations as advocates for and monitors of judicial reform. The project began on September 19, 2011, and is implemented by Chemonics International under contract AID-121-C-11-00002 with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project's major goal is to build a foundation for a more accountable and independent judiciary in Ukraine. The project's four main objectives are designed to achieve this goal by developing a legislative and regulatory framework for judicial reform, strengthening the accountability and transparency of key judicial institutions and operations, strengthening the professionalism and effectiveness of the Ukrainian judiciary, and strengthening the role of civil society organizations as advocates for and monitors of judicial reform. One notable achievement of the project is the successful conduct of the second national anonymous test of judicial candidates on June 5, 2012. The test was conducted in a single location in the presence of independent monitors and media representatives, and the results were immediately processed and made public on the High Qualifications Commission of Judges of Ukraine's website. A total of 1,181 judicial candidates passed the test and were admitted to the second level of the judicial selection process. The project also supported the participation of 15 representatives of the Supreme Court of Ukraine, State Judicial Administration (SJA), and select courts at the International Court Administration Conference held by the International Association for Court Administration (IACA) at the Hague, Netherlands. The Ukrainian representatives presented their knowledge and experience on court administration and judicial self-government to a broad international audience of over 300 representatives of judiciary systems from more than 40 countries. In addition, the project made significant progress in achieving its expected results. Draft amendments to the Law on the Judiciary and Status of Judges were introduced to the President's office for consideration, and draft Law on the Bar was submitted to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on April 28, 2012. The project also held public discussions on pending judicial reform legislation and developed a Concept Paper on Legal Education Reform, which was presented to the members of the Working Group on Legal Education Reform in Ukraine. The project's success is evident in the progress made towards achieving its expected results. The project's focus on developing a legislative and regulatory framework for judicial reform, strengthening the accountability and transparency of key judicial institutions and operations, strengthening the professionalism and effectiveness of the Ukrainian judiciary, and strengthening the role of civil society organizations as advocates for and monitors of judicial reform has led to significant achievements in these areas. The project's success is a testament to the importance of supporting judicial reform in Ukraine and the need for continued efforts to build a more accountable and independent judiciary.