Examination of witnesses in cases involving international crimes: judges honed their practical skills

What constitutes effective direct and cross-examination of witnesses in cases involving international crimes? What standards of proof apply in such proceedings, and how can procedural errors be avoided?

It was precisely these issues that were the focus of a two-day seminar entitled ‘Practical aspects of direct and cross-examination of witnesses in trials concerning international crimes. Defence in trials concerning international crimes: military necessity and orders from superior authorities’, which was held on 9–10 July 2026 by the Dnipro Regional Branch of the National School of Judges of Ukraine in cooperation with the European Union Advisory Mission in Ukraine (EUAM).

The training session was opened by Volodymyr Poplavskyi, Director of the Dnipro Regional Branch of the National School of Judges of Ukraine, and Roman Mudretskyi, Chairman of the Dnipro Court of Appeal, who emphasised the relevance of training judges to hear cases relating to international crimes and the importance of mastering modern procedural approaches.

The training was delivered by Oleksandr Ishchenko, a legal expert from the EUAM Legal Department specialising in international crimes, and Dariusz Sielicki, PhD, Senior Adviser on the prosecution of international crimes at EUAM.

Over the course of two days, participants examined in detail the practical aspects of conducting direct and cross-examination of witnesses in trials concerning international crimes. Particular attention was paid to standards of proof – ranging from reasonable suspicion and probability to proof beyond reasonable doubt – as well as key findings for judicial practice in proceedings relating to extradition and international crimes.

The practical format of the seminar facilitated professional dialogue, the exchange of experiences among participants, and the development of common approaches to the application of procedural tools when dealing with the most complex categories of criminal cases.

Summing up the training, the judges noted that a detailed analysis of the criteria for proving cases and assessing witness evidence is of great practical importance and will help to avoid procedural errors when hearing cases involving international crimes.

The seminar concluded with the presentation of certificates from the National School of Judges of Ukraine to the participants.