In the Dnipropetrovsk region, non-working judges were paid 2.4 million euros in salaries during the war

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, 47 judges are not exercising their powers but still receive salaries. They are not breaking the law because, until a judge is officially dismissed by the High Council of Justice or voluntarily retires, they will continue to receive a salary.

Due to such gaps in Ukrainian legislation, more than 105.5 million hryvnias (about €2,375,832) were spent on judges of general courts in the Dnipropetrovsk region without powers during 2022-2024.

This can happen when a court is liquidated (or reorganized). The liquidation of a court does not mean the dismissal of the judges working there. Accordingly, the judges of this court, if not appointed to work in another court, continue to receive their payments but do not administer justice and do not hear cases. In most cases, they will not receive any bonuses for such “absences.” Some judges without powers (not actually working in their court) may be sent “on assignment” to a reorganized court or another one and work there for a certain period.

Another common reason is when judges appointed by the President of Ukraine have their term of office expire and are not reappointed for a new term. In this case, judges will also receive their “average salary” (which they prefer not to call a salary) until their dismissal by the High Council of Justice or their voluntary resignation. They may even go to work but are not allowed to hear cases. Another reason is if a judge is suspended, they will continue to receive their compensation but without bonuses and will not hear cases. Some judges have been mobilized into the army, and during their service, they should continue to receive “judicial compensation.”

Interestingly, judges on maternity leave do not receive judicial compensation. However, their colleagues who are not working due to regular leave or temporary incapacity will receive judicial compensation in full. Judges suspected of criminal offenses and suspended from work also receive their compensation.

On May 16, 2023, Vsevolod Knyazev ceased to head the Supreme Court. The day before, he was detained on suspicion of receiving a $2.7 million bribe. Judge Knyazev was notified of suspicion of a criminal offense and was remanded in custody. On February 6, 2024, the High Council of Justice suspended this judge from administering justice. But it did not dismiss him, so he continues to receive a salary.