High-quality administrative justice, taking into account the legal opinions of national and European courts

How can we ensure that administrative cases are heard within a reasonable timeframe, that there is effective judicial oversight of the enforcement of judgments, and that European legal standards are properly applied? These and other topical issues are the focus of a refresher course for judges of administrative courts of appeal, organised by the National School of Judges of Ukraine from 12 to 16 October 2026.

The training programme combines current legal positions of national courts, the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, the application of European Union law and practical aspects of the administration of justice.

The training was opened by the Vice-Rector of the National School of Judges of Ukraine, Nataliia Shuklina, and the Head of the Administrative Court of Cassation within the Supreme Court, Ihor Dashutin.

The programme features judges from the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, the Supreme Court and the administrative courts of appeal, as well as academics and experts representing various fields of legal scholarship and judicial practice. This mix of speakers makes it possible to combine academic approaches with practical experience, to discuss current legal positions, the nuances of interpreting legislation and the challenges faced by judges in the administration of justice.

The training covers a wide range of issues relating to administrative justice: from the application of the Constitution of Ukraine and compliance with procedural time limits to ensuring a reasonable time for the examination of cases in accordance with the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and national judicial practice.

A separate module is devoted to the scope of appeal review and the effectiveness of judicial protection. Judges examine issues relating to judicial review of the enforcement of decisions in administrative cases, the specific features of general and special administrative procedures, as well as forms of administrative justice in the context of appeal proceedings.

Equally important are the practical aspects of adjudicating pension and social security disputes, taxation, and foreign exchange regulation and control. Participants examine the specific features of the application by Ukrainian administrative courts of European Union law and the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The training programme includes discussions on problematic issues concerning the temporal application of legislative acts, language requirements for court decisions, conflicts in social protection legislation, and the prospects for its codification. Particular attention is paid to the application of the European Convention on Human Rights and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, in particular judgments in cases against Ukraine.

An important component of the training is also the module ‘Application of the Constitution in the Administration of Justice’, which allows participants to focus on the practical aspects of applying constitutional provisions in judicial practice. In addition, sessions on preventing professional burnout and safeguarding judges’ health are planned.

The lectures include question-and-answer sessions, which provide an opportunity to discuss complex legal issues, analyse practical situations and exchange professional experience.

The training is designed to help judges deepen their professional knowledge, improve their skills in applying national legislation and European legal standards, and ensure high-quality and effective judicial protection in cases falling within the scope of administrative jurisdiction.