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Vira Mykhailenko

Vira Mykhailenko

1981 - born in Kyiv.
2003 - graduated from KNUKiM with a degree in Law.
2007–2019 – practised law (managed Vesta Law Firm).
2010–2018 – teaching and coaching (National Police, Council of Europe projects).
2019-04 - appointed judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court.
2019-07 - Elected as spokesperson for the High Anti-Corruption Court.
14 February 2023 – elected Chair of the High Anti-Corruption Court.
2024-11 - re-elected as head of the court for a new term.

Head of a key judicial body in Ukraine's anti-corruption system.
Judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court since its inception (September 2019).
Candidate of Legal Sciences, specialist in criminal procedure and human rights.
First woman to hold the position of Head of the High Anti-Corruption Court, elected by the judges' assembly in February 2023.
Known for her active stance on the independence of the judiciary and the digitisation of the judicial process.

Position: Chair of the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine since 14 February 2023.

Official profiles/sources:

HACC website: hcac.court.gov.ua

Vira Mykhailenko was born in 1981. She has over 15 years of experience in the field of law. She has risen from a lawyer in the public sector to the head of a special court. She received her education at KNUKiM and the Institute of Intellectual Property of the Odessa Law Academy. Before being appointed as a judge, she practised law, specialising in criminal cases, and taught law enforcement officers.

Mykhailenko actively cooperates with international partners and advocates for the improvement of anti-corruption legislation, in particular regarding plea agreements and the repeal of the "Lozovoy amendments".

Influence:

As the head of the court, Vira Mykhailenko is responsible for organising the institution's work and representing the High Anti-Corruption Court in relations with other authorities and international organisations. She has a significant influence on the formation of uniform judicial practice in cases of high-level corruption.

Key tasks and powers:

Court administration: Ensuring the smooth operation of the court under martial law and cyber threats.
International representation: Coordinating with the Public Council of International Experts (PCIE).
Judicial reform: Participation in the development of amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine to speed up the consideration of high-profile cases.

Positions

Electronic court: Actively promotes the transition to fully digital document management in criminal proceedings (e-Case).
Fighting pressure: Publicly opposes attempts to discredit HACC judges through the media resources of those involved in cases.

FAQ

What is Vira Mykhailenko's experience prior to the court?

She was a well-known lawyer and trainer for detectives and police officers, which gave her a deep understanding of both sides of the process.

How did she become chair?

She was elected by the judges of the High Council of Justice themselves through a secret ballot (she received the necessary majority of more than 20 votes).

What high-profile cases has she handled?

She participated in the consideration of cases involving former SFS head Roman Nasirov, the Onyshchenko "gas case" and cases involving the assets of Russian oligarchs.