Slovo of the National School of Judges of Ukraine. №1(54) 2026. P.149-158

ISSN: 2707-6849       

UDC343.14

DOI https://doi.org/10.37566/2707-6849-2026-1(54)-14

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Serhiy BEREZHNYI,

Associate Professor of the Department of Criminal Law and Procedureof the Khmelnytskyi University of Management and Lawnamed after Leonid Yuzkov,Retired Judge of the Court of Appeal,Trainer of the National School of Judges of Ukraine,Candidate of Law, Associate Professor

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6135-4131

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Plea agreements in corruption criminal offenses: theoretical and practical aspects

Abstract

The article is devoted to the current issues of concluding plea agreements in corruption criminal offenses, which are a novelty in national legislation. The article analyzes changes to the substantive and procedural legislation relating to concluding plea agreements. The key approaches of the modern judicial practice of the Supreme Court of Justice of Ukraine to approving agreements are presented. The need for further research into the institution of plea agreements at the theoretical level and the feasibility of court approval of agreements with high-ranking officials of the highest echelons of power who are accused of serious corruption crimes is emphasized. The special procedure for criminal proceedings based on agreements is not consistent with the general principles provided for in Article 7 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, as it limits judicial discretion in considering criminal cases, including when imposing a sentence. When approving a plea agreement, the court is not charged with any other obligations to verify the possibility of its approval than those expressly provided for in Article 474 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of Ukraine. As judicial practice shows, the expediency of court approval of agreements in corruption offenses is justified by taking into account the challenges of today, which indicate the primary need for financial support for the country's defense sector.

Keywords: plea agreement, corruption offenses, offenses related to corruption, court.

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Suggested Citation: Berezhnyi, S. (2026) Plea agreements in corruption criminal offenses: theoretical and practical aspects. Slovo National School of Judges of Ukraine, 1 (54), 149–158. https://doi.org/10.37566/2707-6849-2026-1(54)-14

Date of first submission of the article to the publication: 15.02.2026

Date of acceptance of the article for publication after review: 13.04.2026

Date of publication (publication): 22.04.2026