Reforming Justice in Times of War

What issues is the Pravo-Justice project addressing?

Pravo-Justice helps the Ukrainian judiciary face challenges stemming from both long-term reform efforts and the ongoing war. Since the start of judicial reforms in 2010, the system has undergone major transformations, but the Russian aggression has introduced new and urgent needs—particularly the need to maintain access to justice under martial law.

What are the project’s positive outcomes?

The project has led to the creation of Regional Justice Reform Councils (RJRCs), bringing together legal professionals, academics and civil society organizations. These councils foster dialogue between central authorities and regional actors, while monitoring reform implementation in the field. Their work involves collecting and analyzing data to evaluate reform effectiveness and identify areas for improvement—thus ensuring that local needs are better reflected in legislative changes. The NGO Interregional Expertise Center PRO Justice was created out of this dynamic to support judicial reforms nationwide.

How can digitalization improve the quality of court decisions?

In our analytical report on remote hearings, which I co-authored, we highlight the benefits of e-justice in a context of large-scale displacement. Digital tools give citizens easier access to legal information, enable them to interact with the justice system, and uphold their right to a fair trial—regardless of where they are. Transparency is enhanced, and corruption risks are reduced, particularly thanks to automated case assignments.

What challenges still need to be addressed?

One of the main challenges is the acute staffing shortage: judges are overburdened, and there is a lack of clerks, assistants, and other staff. The project’s Model Courts Initiative seeks to address this by modernizing court infrastructure—for example, through relaxation areas or child-friendly spaces. Increasing the salaries of staff, which have remained unchanged since 2021, and protecting them from external pressure are also essential to guarantee the independence of judicial decisions.