Pravo Justice II

The Pravo Justice II project aims to reform the rule of law system in Ukraine, in line with European and international best practices.

More specifically, Expertise France is assisting the Ukrainian Ministry of Justice, Supreme Court and High Council of Justice in:

• Improving the management of reforms in the justice sector, in terms of strategically planning, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating the reform
• Increasing the independence, efficiency, quality, integrity and transparency of the judicial system, as well as access to a fair trial
• Enforcing court rulings in civil and criminal cases
• Implementing instruments of the digitalisation policy for the justice sector and e-justice solutions
• Promoting accountability for international crimes and serious human rights violations in Ukraine
• Administrating justice in times of war and the rapid restoration of judicial services.

The activities implemented under the Pravo Justice II project are based on four main lines of action.

1. Management, planning and coordination of the sectoral policy

To ensure the sustainability of the management of the justice sector policy, Expertise France is providing support for the strategic planning and implementation of an action plan, as well as coherent, sustainable and evidence-based regulatory frameworks. It is also improving the inclusiveness of the management by supporting the involvement of regional reform councils and civil society.

2. Judiciary reform

The Pravo Justice II project is supporting the reform of the justice system, particularly judicial governance. The activities include establishing and equipping model courts with improved security processes and more user-focused services, training for judges on European best practices and standards, developing training modules for the National School of Judges, improving the uniformity of judicial practice, and supporting the judicial selection and oversight process to make it more transparent and merit-based.

3. Property rights and enforcement of decisions

The third line of action aims to support the reforms related to enforcement, bankruptcy, notary services and prisons in Ukraine. This involves political and legislative support to improve the enforcement of court judgments, increase the effectiveness of bankruptcy procedures and the protection of property rights, and assist with the development of private legal professions.

In addition, Expertise France is supporting the introduction of an evidence-based approach for the administration of sentences. It is also promoting the rehabilitation of offenders through the development of training programmes and frameworks to assess the risks and needs, along with improved performance management systems and tools to collect statistics.

4. Digitalisation of justice (e-Justice)

The initiatives to digitalise the justice system are supported by taking advantage of the opportunities arising from the commitment of the Ukrainian authorities and the priority given to the automation and simplification of key processes in the justice sector. A digital development strategy is being prepared and e-solutions are being introduced to improve the administration of justice.

The Ukrainian Government launched a court reform in 2017, but shortcomings in the judicial governance system have paralysed the process. The presidential and parliamentary elections in 2019 led to a significant change in the country’s political landscape, with the end of the systematic implementation of the Strategy and Action Plan for the justice sector reform.

On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine. Widespread human rights violations, including potential war crimes and other mass atrocities, have been observed, as well as serious damage to essential civilian infrastructure. While the invasion has not stopped the operations of the judicial, constitutional and prison system, its functioning has been seriously hampered by the deteriorated security situation, the lack of financial and material resources and the damage to infrastructure.

Pravo Justice II is implemented in this context of political, security and economic instability. It follows on from a first phase, conducted between 2017 and 2021, which aimed to support the judiciary and judicial reform in the country, as a result of a popular revolution and the opening of a political window of opportunity.

Find out more on the project website