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One of the objectives of the strategy is to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and its accountability to society. In particular, the formation of the High Qualification Commission of Judges and the High Council of Justice will take place based on the results of an open competition held with the participation of international experts.
The document also foresees the development of agencies and the improvement of the institution of defence attorneys.
In addition, the strategy envisages the improvement of mechanisms for checking the integrity of judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine and their compliance with the standards of professional ethics. It is proposed to change the procedures for the competitive selection of candidates for the position of a Constitutional Court judge, their verification for integrity and compliance with the level of professional competence, with the possible involvement of international experts. The introduction of measures to protect Constitutional Court judges from political and other pressure when making decisions and conclusions is envisaged.
According to the decree, the commission on legal reform, together with representatives of central and local authorities, the public and experts, should develop an action plan for the implementation of the strategy for the development of the justice system and constitutional justice for 2021-2023.
Also, the legal reform commission will inform the president about the status of implementation of the provisions of this strategy.
2.4 Ukraine’s Rada adopts IMF mandated banking bill that might put the Stand By Agreement (SBA) back on track
Ukraine’s Rada passed in the third and final reading a banking bill that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has made a prerequisite for restarting the stalled $5bn Stand By Agreement (Stand By Agreement (SBA) on June 30.
As governor of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Kyrylo Shevchenko told bne IntelliNews in an exclusive interview in June the bill is a key part of restarting the IMF deal that has been suspended due to back tracking on reforms.
The law will introduce a number of European norms that are also recommended by Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and are covered by the BASEL III banking guidelines. They should improve transparency and corporate governance in the banking sector. The law will also affect the functioning of National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) and strengthen its independence, which has been in question in the last year.
Some 279 MPs backed the bill at a meeting on June 30, which needed 225 votes to pass. Earlier this year deputies also passed the so-called anti-Kolomoisky banking law that bans a former owner retaking control of their bank if it has been nationalised. There were fears that oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky would regain control of his PrivatBank through the courts that was nationalised in 2016 after $5.5bn hole was found in its balance sheet.
11 UKRAINE Country Report July 2021 www.intellinews.com