At the Supreme Court of Ukraine, an analytical report entitled “Application of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Administrative Procedure’”, prepared by the NGO “Interregional Expert Center ‘Pro Justice’” with the support of the European Union Project “Pravo-Justice”, was officially presented. The event brought together Supreme Court judges, representatives of public authorities, academics, legal experts, and international partners to discuss the first results of the implementation of one of the most significant laws in the field of public administration.
Opening the presentation, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Stanislav Kravchenko emphasized that the establishment of administrative justice became one of the key milestones in the development of independent Ukraine and in ensuring effective protection of citizens’ rights in their relations with the state. At the same time, the considerable number of administrative disputes brought before courts each year demonstrates the need for further improvement of administrative procedures and their practical implementation mechanisms.
The Law of Ukraine “On Administrative Procedure”, which entered into force on 15 December 2023, is intended to introduce unified standards for the activities of public authorities, ensure transparency in decision-making, guarantee an individual’s right to be heard, and provide properly reasoned administrative decisions. These principles constitute the foundation of modern European governance and an essential element of the rule of law.
One of the key highlights of the presentation was the introduction of the findings of a study on judicial practice concerning the application of the Law of Ukraine “On Administrative Procedure”. The report was presented by Roman Chumak, Chairman of the NGO “Interregional Expert Center ‘Pro Justice’”, Attorney-at-Law, and Managing Partner of Ares Law Firm.
In his presentation, Roman Chumak stressed that the Law on Administrative Procedure is much more than another legislative act. According to him, it represents a transformation in the very philosophy of interaction between the state and the individual, marking a shift from an administrative-command model toward a service-oriented state where the protection of citizens’ rights and legitimate interests is placed at the center of public administration.
The presented research was based on an analysis of judicial practice, legislative regulation, and sociological data. One of the important conclusions was the positive trend showing an increase in the number of court decisions in which judges not only formally refer to the Law of Ukraine “On Administrative Procedure” but also apply its principles as a full-fledged instrument of legal reasoning and protection of individual rights.
At the same time, experts drew attention to a number of challenges. These include the need to develop a consistent judicial practice, avoid fragmentation of disputes among different jurisdictions, and ensure a proper understanding of the new procedures by all public authorities. These issues are currently decisive for the successful implementation of the Law in practice.
The activities of NGO “Pro Justice” are of particular importance in the context of Ukraine’s European integration course. The organization actively contributes to research, expert support for reforms, and professional discussions on the development of administrative law and administrative justice. The analytical report presented at the event constitutes an important contribution to the formation of high-quality law enforcement practice and the development of recommendations for the further improvement of public administration.
The Law of Ukraine “On Administrative Procedure” is already shaping a new culture of interaction between the state and its citizens. The consistency with which its provisions are applied by public authorities and courts will determine the level of legal certainty, public trust in state institutions, and the effectiveness of human rights protection in Ukraine.