Ukraine launches new Supreme Court to deepen judicial reform

KIEV, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine on Friday has launched a renovated Supreme Court as a part of the efforts to advance its comprehensive judicial reform, the Ukrainian Presidential Administration press service said in a statement.

The inauguration of the Supreme Court, which will terminate the old structure consisting of four other high courts, is aimed at rooting out corruption in the East European country.

"The old corrupt, inefficient and unfair judicial system should become a thing of the past," said Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, while commenting on the establishment of the Supreme Court.

The next step in the Ukrainian judicial reform would be the launch of an Anti-corruption Court, Poroshenko said, adding that he plans to submit to parliament a bill on the establishment of the court next week.

As a part of its judicial reform, in July this year, Ukraine has revamped its Constitutional Court, allowing legal entities and individuals to directly apply to the court if their constitutional rights are violated.

Previously, only the president and the parliament members had the right to appeal to the Constitutional Court.

The implementation of the judicial reform in Ukraine is one of the key demands of the European Union and the International Monetary Fund to continue their aid for Kiev. Enditem