The article examines issues related to ensuring an effective and independent judiciary in Ukraine. Judicial independence is established in Ukraine as a constitutional principle of the organization and functioning of courts, aimed at guaranteeing individuals’ right to judicial protection. The author emphasizes the importance of strengthening the judiciary, enhancing public trust in it, and legislatively regulating the prohibition of judges working in the same court with persons related to them by family ties. Attention is drawn to one of the pressing challenges facing the judiciary – the need to restore citizens’ and society’s trust in judicial authority so that every individual feels respect toward the holders of judicial office.

The purpose of the article is to highlight current issues concerning the effective functioning of the judiciary and the necessity for judges to uphold high standards of conduct in order to increase society’s trust in each individual judge and in the judiciary as a whole.

The author concludes that measures must be taken to strengthen the judiciary, as the position of a judge requires constant self-improvement, self-control, and professional development. Particular attention should be paid to improving the procedure for competitive selection to fill judicial vacancies, especially in cases where a judge (or candidate for judicial office) seeks appointment to a court where individuals related to them by family ties are employed.

Bibliography

Authored books

1. Zaiets A, Pravova derzhava v konteksti novitnoho ukrainskoho dosvidu (Parlamentske vyd-vo 1999) (in Ukrainian). Edited books

2. Porivnialne sudove pravo: navch. posib. (I Marochkin, L Moskvych (red), Pravo 2008) (in Ukrainian).Journal articles

3. Mirboboev B, ‘Konstitucija i nezavisimost’ sudebnoj vlasti’ [2001] 5 Vestnik Konstitucionnogo Suda Respubliki Uzbekistan 85 (in Russian).

4. Stefaniuk V, ‘Sudova vlada yak osnovna yurydychna harantiia zakhystu prav i svobod liudyny i hromadianyna v Ukraini’ [2001] 1 Pravo Ukrainy 15–16 (in Ukrainian).

5. Zakaliuk A, ‘Naukove obgruntuvannia zakonodavchoho rehuliuvannia poriadku doboru ta rekomendatsii do pryznachennia kandydativ na posadu suddi’ [2008] 3(54) Visnyk Akademii pravovykh nauk Ukrainy 222 (in Ukrainian). Newspaper articles

6. Mostova I, ‘Konflikt interesiv u diialnosti suddiv: osoblyvosti vrehuliuvannia’ (18 sichnia 2019 Yurydychna Hazeta) (accessed 30.10.2025) (in Ukrainian). Websites

7. Informatsiina dovidka shchodo perehovornoho rozdilu 23 “Sudova vlada ta osnovopolozhni prava” (u konteksti efektyvnosti sudovoi systemy ta borotby z koruptsiieiu) (accessed 12.11.2025) (in Ukrainian).

8. Tinovyi zvit do rozdilu 23 “Pravosuddia ta fundamentalni prava” ta rozdilu 24 “Iustytsiia, svoboda ta bezpeka” Zvitu Yevropeiskoi komisii shchodo prohresu Ukrainy v mezhakh Paketa rozshyrennia Yevropeiskoho Soiuzu u 2024 rotsi (accessed 01.11.2025) (in Ukrainian).