The work of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine is not blocked.
The Сourt will resume plenary sessions immediately after the judges' treatment is completed
Recently, the media have been systematically reporting on the alleged blocking of the work of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine by certain judges in order to make it impossible to hold its plenary sessions. Similar rumors are also spread by some politicians and public figures. In order to prevent the distortion of information and misleading the public about this, we report the following.
According to the Constitution of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine “On the Constitutional Court of Ukraine”, the body of constitutional jurisdiction consists of eighteen judges. Currently, it consists of 15 judges. The Constitutional Court comprises the Grand Chamber, two Senates and six Boards.
Therefore, the judicial activity of the Constitutional Court is ensured not only by the sessions of the Grand Chamber, which is composed of all judges, and the presence of at least 12 judges of the Constitutional Court is required for the authority of its plenary sessions. The First and Second Senates of the Court shall both consist of nine judges, at the same time, Senate cases are considered in the presence of at least six judges. The Constitutional Court also consists of six Boards consisting of three judges each.
Due to the fact that as of today, several judges have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and in order to prevent the spread of the disease, most judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine are in self-isolation and work remotely. Aforementioned caused a lack of quorum for the consideration of cases, which led to their adjournment.
At the same time, while being in self-isolation, judges continue to study and process case files before considering them at the Court session.
We also emphasise that there are no written or oral notifications from the judges of the Constitutional Court concerning their refusal to participate in the consideration of any cases.
Immediately after the judges' treatment is completed and provided the required quorum, the work of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine will be resumed in full. At the same time, we inform you that the Secretariat of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, taking into account the restrictive quarantine measures, continues to perform its tasks and responsibilities.
