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History of the judicial system and the basic principles of judicial proceedings in Ukraine

Slovo of the National School of Judges of Ukraine. №4(53) 2025. P. 37-49

ISSN: 2707-6849       

UDC340.1

DOI https://doi.org/10.37566/2707-6849-2025-4(53)-3

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Nadiya SHCHERBAK,

Professor of the Department of Constitutional, International Law and Public Law Disciplines of the Kyiv University of Intellectual Property and Law, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4636-9546

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Olena MALOZHON,

Associate Professor of the Department of Constitutional, International Law and Public Law Disciplines of the Kyiv University of Intellectual Property and Law, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6052-1017

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History of the judicial system and the basic principles of judicial proceedings in Ukraine

 

Abstract 

The legislative, executive and judicial authorities exercise their powers within the limits established by the Constitution and in accordance with the laws of Ukraine. The judiciary, on the one hand, is an independent branch of government, and on the other, its role is to guide the legislative and executive branches of government within the framework of legality and to exercise constitutional oversight and judicial control over them.

Judicial reform is impossible without taking into account the achievements of humanity in the field of justice. Greater awareness of the activities of the courts in most democratic countries of the world directly affects the legal consciousness of society, including in rule-making activities. The implementation of this experience is reflected in Article 9 of the Constitution of Ukraine, according to which, if the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has given its consent to the binding nature of existing international treaties, then these treaties are part of its national legislation. And the conclusion of international treaties that contradict the Constitution of Ukraine is possible only after making appropriate amendments to it. Thus, in Ukraine, along with national legislation, a part of international legislation is in force, which is mandatory for implementation.

The basic principles of judicial proceedings are: the administration of justice exclusively by courts; independence of judges; the right to a fair trial; the right to a competent court; equality before the law and the court; professional legal assistance in exercising the right to a fair trial; the right to judicial protection; transparency and openness of the judicial process; language of judicial proceedings and records management in courts; binding nature of court decisions; right to review the case and appeal the court decision; collegial and individual consideration of cases.

 

Keywords: judicial system, judicial power, judicial proceedings, transparency, judicial process, appeal of a court decision, collegiality, professional legal aid, investigative bodies, legality, law and order, jurors, review of the case.

 

 

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Suggested Citation: Shcherbak, N., Malozhon, O.  (2025).   History of the judicial system and the basic principles of judicial proceedings in Ukraine.  Slovo of the National School of Judges of Ukraine, 4 (53), 37–49. https://doi.org/10.37566/2707-6849-2025-4(53)-3

 

 

Date of first submission of the article to the publication: 06.01.2026

Date of acceptance of the article for publication after review: 17.03.2026

Date of publication (publication): 09.04.2026