Ukraine court left without judges after disciplinary rulings in Mykolaiv

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

MYKOLAIV, Ukraine — A district court in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv region has reportedly been left without any judge able to administer justice after disciplinary decisions involving three sitting judges.

The case concerns the Novoodesky District Court, where judges Valeria Barankevych, Serhii Serhiienko and Vasyl Kichula were affected by rulings of the Third Disciplinary Chamber of the High Council of Justice. According to information published by the judicial authorities, the disciplinary body reviewed the cases on October 7.

Three judges affected by disciplinary decisions

The disciplinary chamber considered proceedings involving all three judges of the Novoodesky District Court named in the case.

For Valeria Barankevych and Serhii Serhiienko, the chamber decided to impose a disciplinary sanction in the form of a motion for dismissal. Under the relevant procedure, judges in such cases are automatically suspended from administering justice until a final decision is made or the disciplinary ruling is overturned.

As a result, both judges are currently unable to exercise judicial powers, although the decisions do not yet mean they have been finally dismissed from office.

Vasyl Kichula suspended for three months

The High Council of Justice also suspended Judge Vasyl Kichula from judicial duties for three months.

Kichula was additionally ordered to attend a refresher course at the National School of Judges of Ukraine and then undergo a qualification assessment. This means that all three judges named in the decision are currently unable to hear cases at the court.

The situation has raised concerns about the functioning of the Novoodesky District Court and the practical continuity of justice in the area.

Lawyer says no active judge remains at the court

Mykolaiv-based lawyer Volodymyr Tymoshyn wrote on Facebook that, following the decisions of the High Council of Justice, there is no longer a single judge at the Novoodesky District Court with the authority to administer justice.

“No one has yet fully understood the consequences of the fact that, as a result of the decisions of the High Council of Justice, not a single judge remains in Nova Odesa who is authorized to administer justice,” Tymoshyn wrote.

His comment pointed to the possible impact on court users, pending proceedings and the ability of local residents to access judicial services.

Dismissal motions are not final removals

The decisions concerning Barankevych and Serhiienko should not be interpreted as final dismissals at this stage.

A disciplinary sanction in the form of a motion for dismissal triggers suspension from judicial duties, but the final outcome depends on the next stages of the process. Until then, the judges cannot administer justice, but the question of their definitive removal remains subject to further procedure.

In Kichula’s case, the ruling provides for a temporary three-month suspension, professional training and a qualification assessment.

Court operations may face delays

The absence of any judge able to hear cases could complicate the work of the Novoodesky District Court.

In such circumstances, court files may need to be reassigned, transferred or handled through temporary administrative measures. That could affect hearing schedules, case processing times and access to justice for residents of the district.

The situation also highlights a broader challenge for smaller regional courts, where the suspension or removal of a small number of judges can affect the entire institution’s ability to function.

Judicial discipline and service continuity

The case comes at a time when Ukraine’s judicial system continues to operate under the pressures of war and institutional reform.

Disciplinary mechanisms are intended to protect judicial integrity and accountability. At the same time, decisions affecting all judges in a small court can create immediate practical problems for citizens, lawyers and local authorities.

The next steps are expected to determine how the Novoodesky District Court will continue handling cases while the disciplinary process and related administrative decisions move forward.

WiseNewsPress.com