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A judge has left Ukraine and not returned—The High Council of Justice has dismissed Elena Smirnova from the Economic Court of Kharkiv region.

The High Council of Justice dismissed a judge from the Economic Court of Kharkiv Region for committing a significant disciplinary violation.
A judge has left Ukraine and not returned—The High Council of Justice has dismissed Elena Smirnova from the Economic Court of Kharkiv region.

The Supreme Council of Justice has dismissed the judge of the Economic Court of Kharkiv Region, Elena Vladimirovna Smirnova, due to a significant disciplinary offense. This information is reported by the SCJ.

It is noted that the implementation of this procedure was based on a submission from the Second Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Council of Justice regarding the judge's dismissal due to the commission of a significant disciplinary offense, gross or systematic neglect of duties incompatible with the status of a judge, or revealing her unsuitability for the position.

As reported by “Judicial Legal Newspaper”, on November 6, 2024, the Second Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Council of Justice submitted a proposal to the Council of Justice for the dismissal of Elena Smirnova.

During the disciplinary proceedings, it was established that the judge intentionally did not return to Ukraine and refuses to fulfill her obligation to administer justice on behalf of Ukraine.

“These circumstances indicate gross and systematic neglect of duties by Elena Smirnova as a judge and moral-ethical principles of judicial conduct,” the SCJ emphasizes.

This indicates that the actions of the judge of the Economic Court of Kharkiv Region, Elena Smirnova, exhibit signs of a disciplinary offense as outlined in paragraph 3 of part one of Article 106 of the Law of Ukraine on “Judicial System and Status of Judges” (the judge's behavior that tarnishes the title of a judge or undermines the authority of justice, particularly concerning adherence to judicial ethics and standards of conduct that ensure public trust in the court, and demonstrates disrespect towards other judges), the Council adds.