Verkhovna Rada, the Parliament of Ukraine, approved the judicial changes to the Constitution of Ukraine on June 2nd, 2016. However, will the new judicial reform provide Ukrainian with the right to justice? The views of politicians, lawyers, public persons and state officials were rather divided.

So, we were able to hear live over the «Lviv Radio» the opinion of Taras Ravliuk, the known lawyer and partner of the «Matviyiv and Partners». The lawyer noted that the changes to the Constitution of Ukraine adopted by Verkhovna Rada in the final session provide for de-politicization and ensure the independence of the judiciary.

In particular, the bill revised the authority of Verkhovna Rada and the President of Ukraine in the sphere of justice. Now, the appointment to the position of a judge will be made by the President based on the submission by the High Council of Justice. The power to dismiss judges and to transfer them from one court to another has been given over to the Higher Council of Justice, which should replace the previous Higher Council of Justice. Taras considers it noteworthy, that, after the entry into force of the constitutional changes, Ukraine will receive a new Supreme Court, with a new structure and new functions.

A detailed analysis of the judicial reform has made the lawyer to draw a conclusion that the new law somewhat restricts the former judicial immunity and provides for more opportunities to ordinary citizens to seek protection of their rights in the Constitutional Court of Ukraine.

Also, according to Taras Ravliuk, the draft changes to the Constitution of Ukraine provides, also, for reforming the legal profession that makes the lawyer almost a single representative in all courts and categories of cases, even for representation of public authorities. However, one should not forget that lawyers will have, together with the new guarantees, rights and kinds of activities, more duties and responsibilities. Along with this, the experienced lawyer notes that the de-politicization of the justice system will enable the creation of an independent prosecution service in Ukraine.

However, only time will show, whether Ukraine has a chance for a fair and equitable justice, and how the changes to the Constitution of Ukraine will further influence the servants of Themis, lawyers, prosecutors and ordinary citizens. We hope that the new judicial reform will nullify the old experience that can be described by one known sentence from a haiku: “The year is over, but not the journey: again we wear worn out sandals and dress…”.