News date: 27 October 2010
Maksym Kopeychykov, Attorney at Law, Partner at Ilyashev & Partners Law Firm, on October 26, 2010 took part in the roundtable “Judicial Reform in Ukraine and International Standards of Judicial Independence” organized by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) “Ukraine: Rule of Law”.
During the session “Amendments introduced to the procedural legislation – ensuring efficiency of justice or restriction of access to court?” Maksym Kopeychykov evaluated legislative innovations from the viewpoint of practicing attorney. In particular, he noted narrowing of possibilities for delay of judicial proceedings and abuse of the right to protection by the new Law of Ukraine “On Judicial System and Status of Judges”. However, Mr. Kopeychykov believes that some provisions of the Law complicate administration of justice.
The event was also attended by heads of courts and the High Council of Justice, representatives of other government agencies, attorneys. They discussed comments to the Law of Ukraine “On Judicial System and Status of Judges”, which were recently published by the Venice Commission.
John F. Tefft, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, confirmed in his address to the Ukrainian politicians, lawyers, attorneys and international experts that the U.S. Government will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine on the issues of judicial reform. According to him, it is in the interests of the USA and our country to adapt the legal framework of judicial reform in Ukraine to the European and international standards.
The roundtable was initiated and organized by the USAID project “Ukraine: Rule of Law” in cooperation with the High Qualifications Commission of Judges of Ukraine, the State Judicial Administration and the Academy of Judges of Ukraine.