Aleksandr Lavrinovich Minister of Justice of Ukraine Date of Birth: 28.06.1956 Country: Ukraine

1. Alexander Lavrynovych: Minister of Justice and Legal Expert
2. Early Life and Career
3. Political and Legal Activity
4. Member of Parliament and Minister of Justice
5. Government Positions and Political Rise
6. Minister of Justice under President Yanukovych
7. Personal Life and Awards

Alexander Lavrynovych: Minister of Justice and Legal Expert

Alexander Lavrynovych is a Ukrainian politician and legal scholar who has served as the Minister of Justice of Ukraine since 2010. Prior to this, he held various high-ranking positions in the Ukrainian government and parliament, including First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (2008-2010), Deputy Chairman of the Party of Regions (2008-2010), Minister of Justice (2002-2005, 2006-2007), and State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice (2001-2002).

Early Life and Career

Lavrynovych was born on June 28, 1956, in Ovruch, Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukrainian SSR. After graduating high school in 1973 with a gold medal, he studied at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, where he earned a diploma in optical instruments and spectroscopy in 1978. Subsequently, he worked at the Institute of Superhard Materials of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR as an engineer, junior research fellow, research fellow, and senior research fellow until 1991 (with a break for military service from 1981 to 1984).

Political and Legal Activity

In 1989, Lavrynovych joined the Rukh movement (People's Movement of Ukraine). As a member of Rukh, he participated in the political struggle for Ukraine's independence. He was elected deputy chairman of the movement multiple times (1990-1998). In 1990, he became a member of the Central Electoral Commission of Ukraine, and in 1991, he was appointed deputy chairman of the CEC. From 1993 to 1994, he served as acting head of the Central Electoral Commission.

Member of Parliament and Minister of Justice

In 1994, Lavrynovych was elected as a deputy to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. He joined the Rukh faction and served as deputy chairman of the Committee on Legal Policy and Judicial Reform. As a member of parliament, he authored the concept of the Constitutional Treaty and was one of the authors of the Ukrainian Constitution, which was adopted in 1996.

In 1998, Lavrynovych was re-elected to the Verkhovna Rada as a representative of Rukh. Despite his conflict with the movement's leadership, he managed to retain his parliamentary mandate and membership in the Rukh faction. In 2001, he was appointed State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. In 2002, he was appointed Minister of Justice of Ukraine for the first time.

Government Positions and Political Rise

Lavrynovych continued to serve as Minister of Justice under different prime ministers. In 2005, he was dismissed from his post after the appointment of the "Orange" government led by Yulia Tymoshenko. In 2006, he became the first deputy Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine – Head of the Legal Support Department of the Secretariat of the Cabinet. In November 2006, he was reappointed as Minister of Justice of Ukraine.

In 2007, Lavrynovych was elected to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine as a member of the Party of Regions. In December 2007, he joined the Party of Regions and became the deputy chairman of the party led by Viktor Yanukovych. In September 2008, he was elected First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada.

Minister of Justice under President Yanukovych

In 2010, Yanukovych was elected President of Ukraine. Lavrynovych was appointed Minister of Justice for the third time in the government of Mykola Azarov. As Minister of Justice, he has played a significant role in the implementation of the government's legal policies, including efforts to reform the judicial system and strengthen the rule of law.

Personal Life and Awards

Lavrynovych is a State Servant of the 1st rank and a Doctor of Technical and Legal Sciences. He is married to Svetlana Grigorieva, and they have two sons. Lavrynovych has authored over 20 scientific works in the field of constitutional law. He is also a recipient of several awards, including the Order of Yaroslav the Wise, the Order of Merit of the III degree, and the Certificate of Honor of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.