EU law for Ukrainian judges: how the system works and why the preliminary ruling procedure is important

How does the European Union’s legal system work, and what role does the national judge play within it? Ukrainian judges sought answers to these questions during a two-day seminar entitled ‘Fundamental Aspects of EU Law: the Architecture of the EU and its Judicial System, the Role of the National Judge, and the Preliminary Ruling Procedure’, which took place in early April 2026.

The event was organised by the National School of Judges of Ukraine with the support of the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA). Its aim was to enhance the professional skills of judges and deepen their understanding of how EU law interacts with national legislation.

The seminar was opened by Nataliia Akhtyrska, Head of the EU Law Training Laboratory, and Juan Diego Ramírez-Cárdenas Díaz, Senior Legal Expert at the European Centre for Judges and Lawyers (EIPA, Luxembourg).

The training focused on the architecture of the EU legal system and its key instruments. Participants examined fundamental rights under EU law and their sources, the relationship between EU law and the European Convention on Human Rights, and the significance of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union for the protection of human rights.

Particular attention was paid to the principle of the rule of law in the EU and its development in the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union. International experts, including Dr Claudio Matera and Dr Cristina M. Mariottini, explained in detail the mechanisms of effective judicial protection within the EU.

The topic of the preliminary ruling procedure – a key instrument of interaction between national courts and the Court of Justice of the EU – attracted particular interest. Participants not only familiarised themselves with the theory but also gained practical skills, such as preparing requests to the Court of Justice of the EU, understanding how judgments are structured, and using the case law database.

It is this procedure that ensures the uniform application of EU law across different countries and strengthens the role of national judges as participants in the European legal system.

Following the seminar, participants highlighted its practical value and relevance. Such training sessions are becoming an important element of Ukraine’s European integration, helping to strengthen the capacity of national courts to effectively apply European Union standards.