After taking the oath, the real trials for judges only begin - each decision becomes a test of integrity and independence, and public trust in justice depends on the daily work of the servants of Themis. This is stated by Marina Barsuk, a judge and spokesperson for the Northern Commercial Court of Appeal (NCCA), a candidate of legal sciences, in her article on 'Ukrainian Truth'.
«We talk a lot about what a judge should be like and how difficult the path to the judicial position is. But what happens after the candidate wears the robe? This is where the most difficult part begins - the daily, unnoticed exam, the results of which society sees in its own life stories», - noted Judge Marina Barsuk of NCCA.
She emphasized that the selection and evaluation of candidates is just the first step, and the real test for a judge begins in real conditions.
The Problem of Staff Shortages in Courts
One of the main problems facing the judiciary is the staff shortage: courts operate with 22% to 61% of the necessary number of judges, creating a critical burden on those who remain.
«A judge who considers dozens of cases a day physically cannot devote the same attention to each of them. But that is exactly what parties and society expect. This is a direct challenge to the quality of justice», - believes a judge of the Northern Commercial Court of Appeal.
Marina Barsuk pointed out that society demands transparency and clarity in decisions.
Trust and Independence as the Foundation of the Judicial System
«A transparent and understandable decision is the strongest argument in favor of the integrity of the entire system (...) The path to trust is a marathon, not a sprint. Real reform takes place daily in thousands of courtrooms across Ukraine. It manifests itself in the courage of the judge to remain faithful to the law despite pressure and in the clarity of each decision», - writes Barsuk.
In performing their judicial duties, each judge must pass an invisible exam of integrity and independence, which depends on daily decisions. Transparency, fairness, and clarity of court decisions are the basis for public trust in the judicial system. Staff shortages in the courts have become a problem, but resolving this issue is crucial for ensuring qualitative and fair justice.