Optimization of network of local courts to begin with several model courts – Dpty Head of President’s Office

Optimization of the network of local general courts in Ukraine was discussed at a roundtable discussion in Uzhgorod this weekend by Deputy Head of the President’s Office of Ukraine Iryna Mudra and the heads of Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Chernivtsi, Khmelnytsky courts of appeal, the head of the territorial department of the State Judicial Administration of Ukraine in Zakarpattia region and judges of appellate and local courts.

"We agreed to strengthen interdepartmental work on developing a map of the courts of Ukraine and, in particular, to start work with several model courts, which will allow us to optimize costs and develop working mechanisms for introducing such changes to the judicial system, identify common problems, ways to solve them, and apply the acquired experience in larger projects," Mudra wrote on Facebook following the roundtable talk.

According to her, they also discussed equalizing the workload of judges across the country, modernizing the material base and infrastructure of courts, modernizing technical equipment, ensuring that the material base complies with the requirements of procedural law, as well as the legal aspects of implementing such changes.

"In local courts of the region, 16% of judge positions remain vacant, in Zakarpattia Court of Appeal - 72%. The situation is similar in other regions. This means additional workload for judges, longer terms for considering cases and, most importantly, more difficulties for people who appeal to the court for justice," emphasized Mudra.

She added that separately, the roundtable participants also paid attention to the daily pressing issues of logistical, personnel and financial support of courts in Ukraine.

"Together with the government and parliament, we are already moving towards changes, increasing salaries for staff, creating conditions for attracting and retaining specialists. Optimization of the court network may seem like a difficult and unpopular reform. But we must act step by step to ensure people have fair and timely consideration of cases," noted the deputy head of the President’s Office.