OECD Justice Review of Ukraine

6. Enhancing access to justice in Ukraine: Towards a people-centred justice system

Abstract

This chapter examines access to justice in Ukraine through a people-centred lens, analysing legal needs, justice problems and barriers faced by the population, including individuals and groups in vulnerable situations. It assesses the accessibility, quality and responsiveness of justice services across institutions, including legal aid, courts and alternative dispute resolution. The chapter highlights structural, geographic and informational constraints, as well as specific challenges faced by people due to Russia’s war of aggression.

6.1. Introduction

Building an effective justice system should be rooted in a clear understanding of people’s legal needs, justice problems, experiences and capabilities. In line with the OECD Recommendation on Access to Justice and People-Centred Justice Systems [OECD/LEGAL/0498], this requires strengthening people’s ability to understand and exercise their rights, prevent disputes and obtain effective, fair, equitable and timely resolution of legal problems. It also requires understanding how individuals experience justice challenges in practice, particularly where these are compounded by war-related violence, displacement, trauma and systemic vulnerabilities, and ensuring that justice responses are visible, accessible, appropriately targeted and well co-ordinated across institutions and services.

This chapter examines the design and delivery of justice services in Ukraine through a people-centred access to justice lens. It first analyses people’s legal needs and justice problems, then brings together general barriers affecting users of justice services, including cost, complexity of procedures, timeliness, enforcement, territorial access, physical and digital accessibility and access to information. It then examines how these barriers affect individuals and groups facing heightened risks of exclusion or disadvantage, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), veterans, victims and survivors of violence and war-related harm, persons with disabilities, children, ethnic and national minorities and people who cannot afford legal assistance. Finally, the chapter considers whether existing justice services, including courts, legal aid, prosecution services, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), civil society organisations (CSOs), the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (UPCHR) and local administrative entry points, provide accessible, co-ordinated and responsive pathways to resolution.

6.2. Access to justice and legal needs

6.2.1. Understanding legal needs

An effective people-centred justice system prioritises addressing the legal needs of individuals, particularly those in vulnerable situations, by placing them at the heart of justice reforms (OECD, 2021[1]). This approach emphasises direct engagement with individuals to understand challenges they face within justice pathways, rather than relying solely on institutional perspectives. By doing so, justice systems can design services that better meet specific legal needs, optimising resource allocation and reducing inefficiencies, ensuring that people-centred justice principles are firmly rooted in the system.

In Ukraine, CSOs and international organisations have conducted several legal needs assessments since 2011. These surveys have not been carried out regularly and have used mixed – quantitative and qualitative – methods, making it difficult to compare and aggregate findings. Despite these methodological differences, they reveal common themes and consistent findings, such as (as further shown in Box ‎6.1):

• Legal needs are widespread and increasingly shaped by war-related challenges, particularly for IDPs, veterans and other individuals and groups in vulnerable situations.

• Many people avoid formal justice pathways due to low trust, complexity, costs and weak enforcement, relying instead on informal solutions or taking no action.

• Ukraine’s justice and legal aid systems have remained resilient during wartime, but demand for accessible, targeted and co-ordinated services has grown significantly.

Yet, these studies remain largely ad hoc, highlighting the need for a more systematic approach to collecting data on the legal needs and justice problems experienced by people, communities and businesses in Ukraine.

Box ‎6.1. Legal needs assessments implemented in Ukraine

Recent legal needs assessments conducted in Ukraine increasingly reflect the long-term effects of Russia’s aggression since 2014 and the major escalation caused by the full-scale invasion in 2022. Across studies, legal needs and justice problems are closely intertwined with displacement, economic insecurity, trauma, access to social protection and administrative procedures.

Recent assessments point to growing demand for legal assistance related to IDP status, social benefits, documentation, compensation and administrative procedures, while also highlighting the resilience of Ukraine’s legal aid system and continued gaps in access for those in vulnerable situations. Studies focusing on veterans, IDPs and war-affected populations further show that unmet legal needs are often compounded by low awareness of available services, economic hardship and difficulties navigating administrative and justice processes.

These findings are broadly consistent with earlier nationwide legal needs surveys, which had already identified low institutional trust, unresolved legal problems and widespread reliance on informal dispute resolution prior to 2022. Previous studies also highlighted persistent barriers linked to displacement, employment, housing, social protection and access to legal services, reinforcing the importance of more people-centred, accessible and integrated justice pathways in Ukraine.

Source: (KhISR, 2011[2]; HiiL, 2016[3]; WJP, 2018[4]; HiiL, 2020[5]; LDN, 2021[6]; UNDP, 2023[7]; 2024[8]).

Furthermore, an indirect indicator of legal needs and systemic justice problems is the extent to which deficiencies in service delivery give rise to litigation before international human rights bodies. Ukraine remains under enhanced supervision by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE) due to the non-execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in a number of structural cases. These pertain to unlawful or lengthy detention and remand, poor detention conditions and inadequate medical care, as well as concerns relating to judicial independence and impartiality (Volkov v. Ukraine), fairness of proceedings (Lutsenko v. Ukraine), excessive length of proceedings (Komar and Others v. Ukraine) and the lack of effective remedies (Ivanov v. Ukraine) (CoE, 2026[9]).

Other cases under the supervision of the Committee of Ministers concern issues such as torture and ill-treatment, domestic violence (DV), disproportionate use of administrative arrest, freedom of assembly, property rights and asylum procedures (CoE, 2026[9]). These cases point to broader challenges affecting the delivery of justice services and the protection of rights in practice. Ukraine has undertaken measures to address a number of these challenges. In particular, the Rule of Law Roadmap includes actions aimed at improving detention conditions, strengthening rights of victims, enhancing immigration and asylum procedures and reinforcing broader human rights protections.

6.2.2. General barriers to accessible and user-friendly justice services

Access to justice depends not only on the availability of courts or legal aid, but also on whether justice services are affordable, understandable, timely, physically and digitally accessible, and capable of delivering effective and enforceable outcomes. The Constitution of Ukraine provides the foundation for these guarantees. Although it does not explicitly establish a right of access to justice, several provisions collectively underpin it. While Article 55 guarantees judicial protection of rights and freedoms, Article 129 provides that judicial proceedings are administered on the principles of justice, accessibility and transparency, and Article 59 guarantees the right to legal assistance, including free legal aid in cases established by law (VRU, 2020[10]). These provisions establish the constitutional basis for individuals to seek legal protection, remedies and assistance through Ukraine’s justice system.

In practice, however, access to justice may be affected by a range of financial, geographical, administrative and procedural barriers. Although court fees have not increased independently of the minimum wage since the introduction of martial law, the overall costs associated with pursuing a legal claim – including travel, accommodation, documentation, representation and time away from work – may still be significant for some court users, particularly in the context of displacement and loss of income (European Commission, 2023[11]; Advokat Post, 2024[12]). Access to justice may also be affected by distance from justice institutions, limited transport options, information gaps and the complexity of legal procedures.

Since 2014, and particularly following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, these challenges have evolved further. Displacement, insecurity, infrastructure damage and changing legal needs have affected access to justice services and interactions with public institutions. People living in temporarily occupied territories may face additional limitations in accessing institutions, legal remedies and justice services. CSOs have also reported practical challenges related to the implementation of judgments of the ECtHR concerning applicants residing in temporarily occupied territories (European Commission, 2023[11]).

6.2.3. Individuals and groups facing heightened barriers to justice

Barriers to justice do not affect all people in the same way. Some individuals and groups face distinct legal needs and obstacles because of displacement, disability, age, war-related harm, poverty, minority status or limited trust in institutions. These circumstances require targeted and adapted pathways within the broader justice service continuum.

Victims of violence against women and girls

Victims and survivors of violence against women and girls (VAWG) face heightened risks in terms of access to justice services and often experience complex and long-term health, psychological, social and legal consequences. Their needs frequently extend beyond legal remedies alone and require co-ordinated responses across justice, health, psychosocial and protection services. Fragmented service delivery, however, can make it difficult for survivors to access timely and comprehensive support. In addition, survivors may encounter barriers when engaging with justice institutions, including stigma, fear of retaliation, harassment and risks of re-victimisation (OECD, 2020[13]).

Reported cases of VAWG in Ukraine increased significantly following Russia’s full-scale invasion. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of cases reported to the police rose by around 20%, reaching approximately 291 000 cases in 2023 (MoJ, 2024[14]). The true scale of violence is likely to be considerably higher, given persistent underreporting. Stakeholders have also pointed to rising levels of stress, trauma and family-related tensions linked to the war, including among families of military personnel (UNFPA Ukraine, 2025[15]).

Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) committed by Russian military forces has emerged as a major war-related concern since 2022. Ukrainian CSOs and international organisations have documented hundreds of confirmed cases affecting women, men and children, while acknowledging that many incidents are likely to remain unreported. CRSV has been identified as a serious human rights violation in temporarily occupied territories and other areas affected by the war (UPCHR, 2023[16]).

People living in temporarily occupied territories face additional constraints in accessing justice and protection services. Victims and survivors of VAWG may be unable to safely contact law enforcement or support providers and may also experience limited internet and mobile connectivity, social stigma and heightened insecurity (CoE, 2023[17]).

Access to justice and support services for survivors remains uneven, particularly in frontline, rural and war-affected areas. Logistical barriers, displacement, damaged infrastructure and shifting institutional priorities have reduced access to legal assistance, protection mechanisms and referral pathways. Even where services are available, survivors may face obstacles linked to distance, transport, caregiving responsibilities, safety concerns or limited awareness of available support (UNFPA Ukraine, 2025[15]).

Ukraine’s free legal aid system, with support from CSOs and international partners, has expanded support services for survivors of VAWG and CRSV. However, demand often exceeds available capacity, particularly in regions affected by active hostilities (OECD, 2024[18]). Shortage of specialised personnel, strained judicial infrastructure and the need for trauma-informed and multidisciplinary services continue to limit the ability of institutions to provide timely and effective support. Some OECD countries have addressed similar challenges through specialised DV or problem-solving courts that combine judicial functions with co-ordinated support services, multidisciplinary teams and closer links to community-based assistance (see Box ‎6.2).

Box ‎6.2. Domestic violence courts (problem-solving courts)

Specialised DV courts make decisions regarding criminal offences involving family partners. Most DV courts provide specialised judges and staff, co-ordination with other agencies, on-site victim advocacy as well as collaboration with technical assistance teams. An alternative approach involves the use of integrated DV courts, which hear DV matters in both criminal and family law matters. These exist in certain OECD countries such as Australia and the United States:

Problem-solving and therapeutic courts, Australia

In Australia, domestic and family violence matters are addressed through problem‑solving and therapeutic courts. The concept was introduced in the 1990s and follows the idea of therapeutic jurisprudence. In this context, family violence courts work alongside criminal, magistrate and family courts and co-operate with specialised judges and multidisciplinary teams. They engage in judicial monitoring as well as collaboration with community and government services as part of their work. Their goal is to ensure safety of victims and accountability of perpetrators. Their work puts emphasis on tailored interventions, participant engagement and support services. In some jurisdictions they adopt hybrid or integrated approaches that take into account co‑occurring issues such as mental health problems, substance abuse and social disadvantages experienced by affected individuals.

Domestic violence courts, New York State, United States

DV courts in the United States started emerging in the 1990s as part of a tendency towards the establishment of problem-solving courts. The state of New York has been one of the frontrunners when it comes to this development with its first establishment of a felony DV court in 1996 and the introduction of Integrated Domestic Violence Courts in 2001. The latter applied the innovative “one family, one judge” model. It meant that judges are assigned civil, criminal and DV cases along with related matrimonial and family matters. Staff members and judges at Integrated Domestic Violence Courts receive special training on handling cases of DV. Furthermore, judges presiding over such Courts hold regular meetings with all relevant stakeholders ranging from the police and prosecutors to victim advocates.

Source: (AIJA, 2025[19]; New York State Bar Association, 2023[20]).

In response to these challenges, Ukraine has introduced measures to strengthen prevention and support mechanisms for victims and survivors of VAWG and CRSV. In May 2022, the Government of Ukraine and the United Nations adopted a Framework of Cooperation on the Prevention and Response to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence. In addition, in May 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (CMU) approved a resolution establishing procedures and financing conditions for local support services for victims of VAWG, including through local budgets. Despite these efforts, significant gaps in services and infrastructure remain, particularly in war-affected and temporarily occupied territories where specialised support services have been disrupted or suspended (European Commission, 2024[21]).

Persons with disabilities

As of October 2024, more than 3 million persons with disabilities were registered in Ukraine, including over 300 000 individuals who obtained disability status following the full-scale invasion and approximately 163 000 children with disabilities (KhISR, 2023[22]). Persons with disabilities may face barriers in accessing justice services, including challenges related to physical accessibility, communication, digital access and procedural accommodations (European Disability Forum, 2023[23]; OECD, 2024[18]). Wartime conditions, displacement and changes in court jurisdiction have, in some cases, created additional access challenges.

Ukraine has taken steps to improve accessibility, including through pilot initiatives in courts and the implementation of the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Space through 2030 (see Box ‎6.3) and its 2024 Action Plan. At the same time, stakeholders note that broader infrastructure adaptation, accessible procedures and institutional capacity remain important challenges, including regarding access to legal aid and participation in legal proceedings (European Disability Forum, 2023[23]; European Commission, 2025[24]).

Under the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Space in Ukraine, the State Judicial Administration of Ukraine (SJA) assessed court accessibility for persons with disabilities and other low-mobility groups. Recommendations included introducing Braille signage and directional indicators in 44% of courts, alongside contrast markings on glass surfaces, steps and thresholds to assist persons with visual impairments. The judiciary’s official website and individual court webpages also include accessibility functions such as font adjustment, high-contrast displays, colour filters, screen magnification, subtitles and speech output compatibility. As a next step, Ukraine may want to conduct a technical assessment of these features. In parallel, the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine (MoJ) drafted Bill No. 11132 to improve procedural accessibility for persons with visual, hearing or intellectual disabilities by enabling accessible communication formats and intermediary support, while aligning terminology with international standards. Although the draft law was returned in July 2025, its provisions are expected to be incorporated into broader amendments to the procedural codes being developed under the Rule of Law Roadmap.

Box ‎6.3. National Strategy for Creating a Barrier‑Free Space through 2030

Ukraine’s National Strategy for Creating a Barrier‑Free Space through 2030 frames barrier‑free accessibility as a cross‑cutting principle of public policy. It states that everyone should be able to exercise their rights and access justice, without physical, informational or digital barriers as a goal.

The Strategy tackles several types of barriers that might arise in justice-related settings, including physical barriers in places such as court buildings. The Strategy broadly demands the adaptation of public service premises in line with accessibility standards. In addition to physical barriers, the Strategy also recognises information‑ and communication‑related accessibility in judicial processes as a key issue. The importance of barrier-free access is also seen in the context of Ukraine’s broader digitalisation agenda. In this respect, the Strategy demands digital platforms used by the justice sector to comply with national digital accessibility standards.

The corresponding Action Plan for 2025-2026 translates guiding principles of the Strategy into concrete measures relevant to the justice sector. Key justice‑related actions include:

• producing awareness-raising materials in an accessible format to facilitate access to justice

• improving the physical accessibility of public facilities

• monitoring the application of digital accessibility standards on public authority websites

• supporting training and awareness‑building among public officials and service providers with regard to accessibility.

Source: (CMU, 2021[25]).

Ethnic and national minorities

Ukraine is home to several national minorities and indigenous peoples (UPCHR, 2024[26]). In recent years, Ukraine has adopted measures aimed at strengthening the protection of rights, including the 2023 Law on National Minorities and a 2025 Action Plan on minority rights protection. At the same time, some groups may continue to experience challenges related to documentation, socio-economic conditions and access to public services, including in situations of displacement and wartime disruption (UPCHR, 2023[16]; European Commission, 2025[24]).

Internally displaced persons

As of June 2025, around 5.1 million displaced Ukrainians were residing in OECD countries (OECD, 2025[27]), including 4.5 million in the European Union (EU), while more than 4.6 million people remained internally displaced within Ukraine (OECD, 2026[28]). Although many Ukrainians have also returned since 2022, large-scale displacement has significantly complicated access to justice by disrupting access to institutions, documentation and timely legal procedures (OECD, 2026[28]).

IDPs generally face heightened legal and social needs. A 2024 survey by the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union (UHHRU) and the Kharkiv Institute for Social Research (KhISR) found that 76% of IDPs required legal advice or assistance. In addition to financial, psychological and medical support, IDPs reported elevated needs related to compensation for losses, restoration of property and registration of war-related damage (UHHRU, 2024[29]). Many IDPs have also lost or lack key identity, civil or property documents, creating barriers to legal proceedings, access to benefits and property claims.

The scale of these challenges is considerable. In 2023, around 5 000 people in the Kherson Oblast required legal assistance to restore documentation needed for property claims (OECD, 2024[18]). While the judiciary and the Coordination Centre for Legal Aid Provision (CCLAP) have expanded support for reconstructing legal records and processing claims, demand and staffing shortages continue to slow responses. These circumstances reinforce the need for accessible local, mobile and digital justice services linked to legal aid and administrative support.

IDPs make greater use of free legal aid services than the general population, particularly for issues relating to IDP status, social benefits, residency and documentation. Many also rely on Administrative Service Centres (ASCs), which are often perceived as more accessible and responsive during wartime.

In order to adapt court services to wartime needs of IDPs, the Supreme Court of Ukraine (SC) introduced simplified procedures for proving the loss of documents (OECD, 2025[30]). Training programmes are also being developed to strengthen trauma-informed approaches in judicial proceedings, particularly in cases involving war-related harm and displacement (OECD, 2024[18]). Judges receive specialised training on the protection of IDPs and other war-affected populations, although knowledge and practical skills relating to trauma-informed communication and victim-sensitive approaches remain at an early stage of development for many justice professionals (Victim Support Europe, 2024[31]).

Veterans and demobilised soldiers

Veterans and their families face a range of legal, social and economic challenges, including difficulties accessing benefits and social services, navigating administrative procedures and obtaining official combatant or veteran status (UNDP, 2024[8]). Reported barriers also include limited awareness of available support services, uneven access to legal assistance following discharge from military service and varying levels of trust in institutions. These findings point to the importance of developing clearer pathways, trusted entry points and better co-ordinated information and support services for veterans and their families.

Additional challenges relate to physical accessibility, particularly for veterans with disabilities, as well as regional disparities in service availability. Certain groups, including wounded veterans and widows, may face more complex or compounded needs. Families of veterans often require legal assistance, financial support, psychosocial services and reliable information following the loss of a relative (UNDP, 2024[8]).

Victims of war crimes

War crime victims, including refugees and returnees, do not currently benefit from a dedicated or unified justice pathway. While some institutions have developed informal co-operation and referral practices, formal referral protocols and co-ordination mechanisms remain limited. Victims may face challenges in identifying and accessing appropriate justice and support services, including legal, psychosocial, medical and protective assistance. Participation in criminal proceedings may also be affected by factors such as limited awareness of available mechanisms, lack of familiarity with procedures and varying levels of trust in institutions (Victim Support Europe, 2024[31]). These challenges suggest the importance of developing clearer, more structured and better publicised referral pathways linking relevant services and institutions.

Children

Ukraine is also gradually developing child-friendly justice practices. While specialised judges handle proceedings involving minors, court and police facilities are often not fully adapted to children’s needs, and legal gaps continue to affect children’s interaction with the justice system (Smaliuk and Ruda, 2022[32]). The draft 2025-2029 Strategy for the Development of the Justice System and Constitutional Justice includes measures to strengthen child-friendly justice, including through implementation of the Barnahus model centres in co-operation with United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). These centres provide child-sensitive protection and psychosocial support during justice proceedings for children who are victims or witnesses of violence. Ukrainian courts have already authorised more than 100 child interviews to take place within Barnahus centres (Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health, n.d.[33]).

6.3. Delivering people-centred justice: Towards a continuum of services

Effectively addressing the diverse, complex and evolving legal needs arising in Ukraine, particularly during wartime, requires a continuum of people-centred justice services that offers flexible, co-ordinated and accessible pathways to resolution. Different justice problems require different types of responses and entry points, ranging from courts and prosecution services to legal aid, ADR, social support, administrative services and community-based assistance.

Building on the legal needs and access barriers identified above, this section examines how Ukraine’s justice services respond across the justice service chain, including courts, prosecution services, legal aid, the UPCHR, ADR, community-based services and local administrative entry points. It considers how these services are adapting to longstanding constraints and wartime pressures, and whether they provide coherent, accessible and co-ordinated pathways to resolution.

6.3.1. Court services and constitutional justice

Access and organisation of court services

As noted throughout the report, courts are one of the central components of the broader continuum of justice services needed to respond to people’s legal needs and justice problems. As mentioned in the previous chapter, despite reforms aimed at improving efficiency and digitalisation, and despite Ukraine having a comparatively high number of first-instance courts per 100 000 inhabitants (2.06)1 relative to some other CoE countries (CEPEJ, 2024[34]), the court system continues to face operational pressures, including case backlogs, lengthy proceedings and delays in enforcing court decisions. Wartime conditions, such as increased caseloads and resource constraints, have added further pressures on courts and justice institutions. Ukraine has introduced procedural reforms to support faster proceedings, remote hearings and electronic communication, including videoconferencing in criminal proceedings.

From the perspective of access to justice, judicial map reform also raises questions about how court locations correspond to people’s legal needs, travel distances, patterns of displacement and the availability of complementary justice and administrative services. The 2020 decentralisation reform reduced the number of districts from 490 to 136, increasing the need to align local courts with the new administrative-territorial structure. While proposals for reorganising local courts have been developed (Box 6.4), implementation has been delayed by the war and is progressing only in selected safer oblasts, including Zakarpattia and Lviv.

Box ‎6.4. Judicial map reform in Ukraine

Ukraine’s judicial map reform aims to modernise the organisation of courts in line with the country’s broader decentralisation and public administration reforms. The reform seeks to replace the existing network of city and district courts with a system of circuit courts of first instance aligned with the new administrative-territorial structure introduced in 2020. The objective is to improve efficiency, balance caseloads, optimise human and financial resources, and strengthen the quality and continuity of justice services.

The reform also reflects a broader shift towards integrating justice service planning with digitalisation and service accessibility. Plans for the new judicial map take into account the distribution of prosecution offices, police, legal aid and other justice-related services, with the aim of creating a more coherent and accessible justice service network. Digital tools, including electronic communication and remote hearings, are expected to complement physical restructuring and help offset reduced geographical accessibility in some areas.

Implementation of the reform has been significantly disrupted by Russia’s war of aggression. Damage to court infrastructure, temporary occupation of territories and the relocation of court jurisdictions have required emergency adjustments to territorial jurisdiction and service delivery. In response, Ukraine has adopted a phased and regionally sequenced approach to reform implementation, including pilot initiatives in safer regions such as Zakarpattia. These pilots are intended to test new court structures and service delivery models while maintaining access to justice under wartime conditions.

The reform therefore represents not only an administrative reorganisation of courts, but also an opportunity to redesign the justice system’s broader service footprint. Looking ahead, successful implementation will depend on ensuring that efficiency gains are balanced with accessibility, resilience and effective co-ordination across the wider justice sector.

Zakarpattia oblast pilot

Due to martial law, court reform is proceeding on an oblast-by-oblast basis. Ukraine plans to pilot judicial map reform in Zakarpattia, which is one of the smallest oblasts and less likely to be targeted by missile attacks. As part of this pilot, several local general courts will be closed or merged into new district courts. As of March 2026, there are 13 local district courts (which will be changed in the future into five circuit courts). In terms of physical access to justice, the consolidation of district courts into circuit courts means that citizens, legal professionals or legal entities may have to travel longer distances to reach a court. In part, this reduction of accessibility may be compensated for with e-justice measures and online proceedings discussed in Chapter 5.

Source: Adapted from Ukrainian legislation and reform strategies, including the Law of Ukraine on the Judiciary and the Status of Judges (LJSJ), the 2015-2020 Justice System Strategy and related judicial reform initiatives.

In parallel, staffing challenges, funding constraints and enforcement challenges continue to affect the functioning and accessibility of court services. In 2025, the UPCHR processed 7 164 public appeals concerning the right to a fair trial and procedural rights, and the Commissioner’s Secretariat initiated 109 proceedings in this area (UPCHR, 2026[35]). Within this total, the Commissioner received 1 010 notifications concerning procedural rights in civil and administrative proceedings, including access to court, reasonable time and enforcement of judicial decisions, up from 863 in 2024 and 516 in 2023 (UPCHR, 2026[35]). The UPCHR also reported an increase in notifications concerning enforcement of judicial decisions, from 802 in 2024 to 891 in 2025, and identified acute judicial understaffing as one factor affecting the right of access to court and hearing within a reasonable time (UPCHR, 2026[35]). These figures refer to appeals and notifications received, not confirmed violations in each case, but they indicate continued demand for effective remedies and procedural safeguards.

Beyond the organisation and accessibility of courts, procedural legislation plays a central role in determining whether people can effectively use justice services. Civil, administrative and criminal procedures define how claims are filed, evidence is submitted, hearings are conducted, rights are protected and remedies are enforced. Ukraine has introduced important procedural reforms, including in relation to electronic communication, remote hearings and simplified procedures for selected wartime-related issues, and further reforms are envisaged in the area of e-justice, criminal e-case management and the streamlining of procedural rules (European Commission, 2025[24]).

Notwithstanding the procedural reforms, there may be scope to review whether procedural rules are fully fit for purpose considering displacement, disability, trauma, digitalisation, war-related legal needs and the growing importance of people-centred service delivery. Such a review could consider, among other issues, the use of simplified and written proceedings, safeguards against procedural delays and abuse, the proportionality of judicial formations, time limits in criminal procedure, victims’ and procedural rights, access to remedies for war-affected people and the accessibility of digital and remote procedures. It could also examine whether procedural codes provide effective remedies for excessive length of proceedings and support the timely enforcement of decisions, which remain relevant to Ukraine’s execution of judgments under Article 6 of the ECHR. The targeted process could help identify opportunities to simplify procedures, improve clarity for users, strengthen safeguards for vulnerable participants and ensure that digital and remote processes do not create new barriers to justice.

Finally, access to courts in Ukraine has been affected by wartime conditions. In areas affected by the war, damage to court infrastructure and the relocation of jurisdictions to other oblasts have created additional challenges for geographical access to justice. In response, the Rule of Law Roadmap includes measures aimed at strengthening the crisis preparedness and operational resilience of the judiciary, including training on institutional safety and wartime continuity. International experience also illustrates how mobile, outreach and flexible court models can support access to justice in remote, underserved or crisis-affected areas (see Box ‎6.5).

Box ‎6.5. Mobile and outreach court services in other countries

In Peru, the Itinerant Justice Service is an initiative created by the judiciary through which judges (including Justices of the Peace) and other justice operators regularly travel to remote areas of the country, in all judicial districts – including Indigenous communities, where communication and Internet resources are limited and a high concentration of people in vulnerable situations live. This service aims to guarantee the effective exercise of people’s fundamental rights and provide judicial services in clear and simple language, considering the predominant language of the area. Claims are collected and reviewed beforehand to allow decisions to be made in situ. The judiciary delivers mobile justice services through the Superior Courts in all 35 judicial districts. Peru’s judiciary has also implemented semi-annual ‘Justice Fairs’ to bring justice services closer to the people through sessions where judges provide basic information to the population regarding their rights, using clear and simple language.

In France, Law and Justice Houses (maisons de la justice et du droit) work to prevent and deal with petty crime, facilitate the amicable settlement of disputes, and set up specialised legal consultations. Legal access relays (relais d'accès au droit) cover all access to law mechanisms that are co-ordinated by the Departmental Legal Aid Committees (conseils départementaux d'accès au droit) and do not meet the criteria of access to law points (points d’accès au droit). These access points are available in various locations, including social action municipal centres (centres communaux d’action sociale) and people’s houses (maisons de la vie associative et citoyenne); there is also mobile support, e.g. “justice buses”, run by Bars such as Bus Barreau de Paris Solidarité or linked to associations.

In the United Kingdom, particularly in England and Wales, court hearings can take place not only in courthouses and via virtual platforms but also in alternative, non-court venues through “pop-up courts” in certain circumstances. For example, the Health, Education and Social Care Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal – which conducts approximately 1 800 hearings annually – may hold proceedings in hospitals or hospital trust premises. In Scotland, most civil and criminal cases are heard by the Sheriff Court. Sheriffs (judges of this court) are generally assigned to specific locations, but some serve as “floating” sheriffs, travelling between courts to meet caseload demands. In addition, part-time sheriffs – who may hold other employment – can be appointed by the Judicial Office for Scotland to preside over cases in any of the 39 Sheriff Courts, except in the region where they are otherwise employed.

Sources: (OECD, 2024[36]; OECD, 2021[1]; Government of the United Kingdom, 2025[37]; Judiciary UK, 2025[38]; Judiciary of Scotland, n.d.[39]).

The draft Strategy for the Development of the Justice System and Constitutional Justice for 2025-2029 also includes measures aimed at restoring and adapting justice services in de-occupied and war-affected territories. The Strategy emphasises maintaining access to justice during martial law through measures such as shelters in courts, remote proceedings and videoconferencing where hostilities limit physical access. It also includes plans for digitising archives, securing court records, restoring damaged infrastructure and supporting transitional justice mechanisms to protect rights and freedoms. The effectiveness and implementation of these measures remain to be assessed.

Ukraine has also started introducing more targeted and trauma-informed approaches within parts of the justice system. Selected courts have established witness support rooms and other adapted spaces intended to assist IDPs, survivors of war crimes and persons with disabilities (OECD, 2024[18]). In parallel, judicial training on war crimes and trauma-sensitive case handling has begun to expand, including through partnerships with international actors. However, these initiatives remain limited in scale and are constrained by financial pressures and workforce shortages (OECD, 2024[18]).

In addition, under the EU-funded Pravo-Justice Model Court Initiative launched in 2018, Ukraine established four specialised model war crimes courts located in the Kyiv and Chernihiv Oblasts. The initiative aims to strengthen service delivery, improve support for individuals and groups in vulnerable situations, enhance safety for judges and court personnel, improve communication with court users and promote modern management standards within the judiciary (Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]). The longer-term impact and sustainability of these initiatives remain to be assessed.

Access to constitutional justice

Ukrainians have the right to submit a constitutional complaint when they believe that a final court judgment has been based on a law that is inconsistent with the Constitution. The procedure is free of charge and complaints may be submitted electronically. According to the Constitutional Court of Ukraine (CCU), 429 constitutional complaints were received between 1 January and 31 December 2024, while a further 237 complaints were filed between 1 January and 30 June 2025 (OECD, 2025[30]).

The CCU has also introduced measures aimed at improving access to constitutional justice. Its official website provides explanatory materials, complaint templates, filing guidance and recommendations for both individuals and legal entities (Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]). Dedicated staff assist applicants, and accessibility measures for people with reduced mobility are being strengthened (OECD, 2024[18]; Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]).

Despite these efforts, access to constitutional justice remains affected by delays and capacity constraints within the CCU. Stakeholders have raised concerns regarding substantial case backlogs, lengthy proceedings and the limited number of decisions issued by the Grand Chamber. Between 2022 and 2025, the Grand Chamber delivered fewer than ten decisions, while some constitutional complaints remained pending for many years. For applicants, such delays may reduce the practical value of the constitutional complaint mechanism, particularly where the contested legal provision has already been amended or where related human rights issues have subsequently been addressed through ECtHR proceedings.

Institutional capacity constraints have also affected the timely examination of constitutional complaints. Between January and July 2025, the Grand Chamber lacked a quorum, preventing it from convening and further delaying constitutional review. This situation appears difficult to reconcile with the objectives set out in the Rule of Law Roadmap, which envisages constitutional proceedings generally being completed within six months, extendable up to twelve months in exceptional circumstances. To support more effective access to constitutional justice, the Roadmap proposes a range of institutional and operational reforms, including strengthening electronic services, introducing automated document management systems, expanding the capacity of the CCU Secretariat and filling vacancies.

While the CCU has delivered rulings relevant to groups facing heightened barriers to access to justice, including in the decision concerning social protection for military personnel and veterans (CCU, 2022[41]), stakeholders continue to highlight the need for constitutional justice processes to become more accessible and responsive to the circumstances of groups with vulnerabilities (OECD, 2024[18]).

In response to wartime conditions, the CCU has continued developing digital and procedural tools, including an online forum for constitutional complaints inspired by practices of the ECtHR (OECD, 2024[18]). The CCU has also continued reviewing issues related to the application of martial law measures and constitutional protections. Further efforts to strengthen access to constitutional justice could include improvements in accessibility, case management and digital procedures. At the same time, any increase in the use of constitutional complaints may require corresponding adjustments to institutional capacity and backlog management arrangements.

6.3.2. Prosecutorial services

Like the courts, prosecutorial services also face significant staffing and resource constraints, which have intensified following Russia’s full-scale invasion. Challenges include damage to infrastructure, limited investigative resources and difficulties managing the growing volume and complexity of war-related cases (Victim Support Europe, 2024[31]). While the Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG) has collaborated with CSOs to support the collection of preliminary evidence for war crimes investigations, gaps remain in data management systems, information-sharing protocols and institutional co-ordination, affecting the efficiency and scalability of investigations.

At the same time, the OPG has introduced targeted reforms aimed at improving the accessibility and responsiveness of prosecutorial services. In 2023, it launched a pilot project in six oblasts, then extended to the entire territory of Ukraine from July 2025 onwards, to strengthen child-friendly justice practices in criminal proceedings. These measures include specialised interviews of minors using “green room” methodologies and the Barnahus model, participation of psychologists and teachers, involvement of social service specialists, closed hearings and more rehabilitative approaches for children involved in proceedings. The OPG also provides regular training for prosecutors on children’s rights and child-friendly justice approaches (Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]).

The OPG has also strengthened its response to domestic violence through the establishment of a specialised unit in 2023 focused on victim protection, co-ordination among law enforcement bodies and improved investigation of domestic violence cases. The unit aims to support more consistent and victim-centred approaches across prosecutorial services (Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]).

The prosecutorial framework for addressing CRSV has also evolved. In 2022, the Prosecutor’s strategy was revised to strengthen the investigation of CRSV cases, followed in 2023 by the adoption of a dedicated strategic plan for prosecutorial functions in CRSV proceedings. The plan aims to support prompt investigations while improving protection and support for victims and witnesses in line with national and international human rights standards (Victim Support Europe, 2024[31]).

The OPG has also introduced measures to respond to the needs of victims and witnesses of war crimes and other international crimes. In April 2023, it implemented a dedicated support mechanism designed to provide multidisciplinary assistance while helping reduce risks of intimidation, secondary victimisation and re-traumatisation (OPG, 2023[42]). The mechanism is structured around three components: the VWCC (Box ‎6.6), an interdepartmental working group; and a multi-agency referral system.

In parallel, prosecutors handling war crimes proceedings have increasingly adopted procedural interview methods designed to strengthen human rights-based and trauma-sensitive interactions with victims and witnesses. Developed with input from investigators and psychologists, these approaches rely on non-violent communication principles and structured interviewing techniques (Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]).

To support the collection of information relating to war crimes, the OPG has also expanded co-operation with CSOs and introduced digital reporting tools, including online platforms and artificial intelligence (AI)-supported chatbots. These mechanisms allow victims and witnesses to submit information and digital evidence through more accessible and confidential channels (Victim Support Europe, 2024[31]). Box ‎6.6 below describes further efforts by the OPG to offer ways for victims and witnesses to exercise their rights.

Box ‎6.6. The Victims and Witnesses’ Coordination Centre

The VWCC, established in January 2023, is a specialised unit within the OPG. Its primary objective is to ensure that victims and witnesses can fully participate in criminal proceedings while receiving comprehensive support through a structured referral mechanism. This includes psychological, medical and social assistance, as well as protection measures, legal guidance and information about their rights. The VWCC also facilitates legal representation through free legal aid centres. It assists certain war crime victims, such as survivors of sexual violence, with plans to expand services to all war victims. The VWCC operates at the OPG Office and in nine regional prosecutor’s offices.

The VWCC is guided by the Interdepartmental Working Group, which brings together the representatives of the VWCC, law enforcement agencies, ministries, departments and other auxiliary services. This initiative has designated contact persons in the oblasts, who facilitate the exchange of information and ensure timely updates on cases of CRSV.

As of January 2025, the VWCC has provided assistance to over 1 100 victims, including 873 children, 83 survivors of sexual violence, 22 military personnel and 89 people released from Russian captivity. In 2024, nine regional departments were established in the Kyiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Sumy, Kharkiv and Chernihiv Oblasts.

Funding for the VWCC still depends on external service providers.

Sources: (Victim Support Europe, 2024[31]; OECD, 2025[30]; OPG, 2025[43]; Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]; OECD, 2026[44]).

These initiatives reflect important efforts to adapt prosecutorial services to wartime conditions. However, their long-term sustainability and broader impact will depend on adequate resources, stronger institutional co-ordination and clearer protocols for collecting, storing and sharing sensitive information across justice institutions and trusted partners. Continued capacity building on referrals, trauma-informed practice, data quality and protection of sensitive information could further strengthen these mechanisms.

Effective victim and witness support mechanisms also require clear security and referral protocols for sensitive proceedings. These may include guidance on risk assessments, secure communication, safe participation and co-ordination among justice actors. Where security risks affect lawyers, court staff or other justice professionals involved in proceedings, safeguards may also need to be adapted accordingly.

6.3.3. Legal aid services

Ukraine’s legal aid system, described in Chapter 3, represents one of the central access points within the broader justice service continuum. Legal aid is most effective when people can easily understand eligibility requirements, access services through multiple channels and be referred efficiently to other institutions capable of addressing related legal and social needs. In the context of war, legal aid services have become particularly important in helping people navigate displacement, documentation loss, housing, social protection and war-related claims.

The free legal aid system operates through the CCLAP and its network of interregional and local centres across Ukraine, supported by nearly 400 service entry points (OECD, 2024[18]). Nearly 1 300 staff work across these centres, including more than 600 lawyers. In addition, around 3 000 advocates co-operate annually with the interregional centres on a contractual basis. Legal aid services are additionally provided through hotlines, paralegals, mobile outreach teams and on-site consultations in detention facilities, domestic violence support centres, IDP locations, evacuation points and border checkpoints (OECD, 2025[30]). Between 2022 and mid-2024, more than 115 700 people received legal consultations through these outreach mechanisms (Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]).

More than 803 000 legal services were provided in 2025, including approximately 644 000 primary legal aid services, over 54 000 assignments for free secondary legal aid in civil and administrative matters and more than 105 000 lawyer appointments in criminal and administrative offence proceedings (CCLAP, 2026[45]). More than 315 500 in-person consultations were reportedly delivered through legal aid centres and access points during the same period (CCLAP, 2026[45]).

The legal aid system has relied on remote and digital service delivery to maintain continuity of access to justice during the war. The CCLAP hotline and online communication channels provide legal assistance through telephone consultations, social networks and messaging applications such as Telegram, which is widely used by people in temporarily occupied territories (OECD, 2026[44]). Reported user satisfaction levels reached approximately 90% for telephone services and 89% for online services, while in more than 93% of remotely initiated cases, legal issues were reportedly resolved without requiring an in-person visit (CCLAP, 2026[45]).

Ukraine’s legal aid ecosystem extends beyond state institutions and increasingly involves CSOs, law clinics, universities, bar associations and international humanitarian organisations. This broader network has helped expand service coverage during wartime and respond to rapidly growing legal needs (see Box ‎6.7). However, the increasing reliance on multiple providers also highlights the importance of stronger co-ordination, referral pathways and service standards across providers. While the involvement of CSOs and international actors has strengthened access in many areas, it also reflects the extent to which non-state actors continue to fill gaps in service provision, particularly in regions affected by the war.

Box ‎6.7. Legal aid services provided by CSOs

• The UHHRU operates a network of legal aid centres across 18 oblasts of Ukraine, making it the country’s largest human rights organisation network. Focused on protecting rights and driving positive change, these centres follow unified standards for case recording, consultations and legal aid quality. In 2023, the UHHRU centres provided 19 092 consultations. The UHHRU supports several chatbots managed by lawyers of the legal aid network and the Strategic Litigation Centre to provide online legal aid.

• The LDN is a coalition of community-based NGOs advancing people-centred justice through legal aid, education, research, advocacy and other empowerment tools. Active in most oblasts of Ukraine, the LDN saw its legal aid volume quadruple since 2022, assisting 340 945 individuals in 2023 compared to 233 857 in 2022. Moreover, the LDN’s 15 member organisations continuously provided support via the LDN’s online chatbot. The most reported category was social welfare law.

• The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has provided legal aid support to more than 200 000 individuals since early 2015. The DRC’s nearly 100 lawyers and 25 implementing partners provide legal aid to the affected population across 17 oblasts of Ukraine. The DRC’s digital legal aid platform – Pravovsim – enables people in Ukraine and Ukrainians under temporary protection across Europe to remotely access lawyers in Ukraine to meet their legal needs including updating civil documentation status and protecting their housing, land and property rights.

• The NGO “La Strada - Ukraine” in co-operation with the OPG launched a chatbot for victims of CRSV. The chatbot provides contact information for organisations that provide psychological, legal, medical, social and humanitarian assistance to victims. The service also provides an option for victims or others with information regarding instances of CRSV to provide information about the crime, which will be transferred to the OPG through an online form.

Sources: (DRC, 2023[46]; LDN, 2023[47]; Victim Support Europe, 2024[31]; UHHRU, 2024[29]; OECD, 2025[30]).

Ukraine has also taken steps to improve the accessibility and adaptability of legal aid services. The law requires the provision of interpreters, including Ukrainian Sign Language interpreters, for eligible users who do not speak Ukrainian or who have hearing impairments (Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]). Legal aid centres also co-operate with Child Protection Centres under the Barnahus model to support children involved in criminal proceedings and refer children’s legal aid requests accordingly. In parallel, the legal aid system has expanded restorative justice initiatives involving minors and increasingly involves psychologists in proceedings concerning children to reduce re-traumatisation and protect the best interests of the child.2

The legal aid system has also increasingly adopted a more quality-oriented approach to service delivery. Follow-up consultations and user-feedback analysis have been used to assess the clarity, usefulness and accessibility of legal consultations and identify recurring challenges affecting users. Feedback reportedly highlighted the importance of practical guidance, accessible explanations and support extending beyond strictly legal advice. Monitoring and quality assurance mechanisms have also been strengthened through supervision within legal aid centres, centralised review by the CCLAP and review of consultations, hotline recordings and legal aid files.

The free legal aid system plays an important role in supporting individuals and groups in vulnerable situations and addressing war-related legal needs. Since 2012, the scope of free secondary legal aid has progressively expanded and now guarantees assistance for 25 categories of persons specified under the Law of Ukraine on Free Legal Aid, irrespective of income (CCLAP, 2026[45]). Persons with disabilities, veterans and family members of fallen defenders, IDPs, persons affected by VAWG and children are therefore entitled to free legal aid without income verification. In 2025, the largest beneficiary groups for free secondary legal aid in civil and administrative matters included low-income persons, IDPs, veterans and family members of fallen defenders, persons with disabilities and children.

Despite progress, barriers to accessing legal aid remain, particularly for war-affected populations, who may have difficulties proving status, income, residence or entitlement. More generally, some people continue to face financial barriers because secondary legal aid partly relies on income verification. Under the income-based eligibility criterion, a person earning the minimum wage may not qualify for free secondary legal aid unless they fall within one of the legally protected categories. This differs from broader trends across several EU countries, where legal aid often extends beyond persons living below the poverty threshold (Smaliuk and Ruda, 2022[32]).

Awareness and accessibility also remain uneven. People may have little awareness of their rights and available legal aid services, particularly regarding secondary legal aid, eligibility criteria and service locations. Barriers to access additionally include distrust in institutions, postponement of legal problems until the end of the war, physical accessibility challenges and reduced availability of services in areas affected by the war (HiiL, 2016[3]; DRC, 2023[46]). While children and their caregivers are entitled to free secondary legal aid and children may apply independently, child-friendly information explaining these rights and services remains limited. Some of these barriers may also help explain why relatively few victims of war crimes currently seek legal aid services (Victim Support Europe, 2024[31]).

Resource and staffing constraints also continue to affect the legal aid system. The CCLAP faces challenges relating to staff retention, budget limitations and shortages of specialised professionals, which may affect continuity and quality of services (OECD, 2024[18]). Budget limitations restrict both the range of services available and opportunities for specialised training. Nevertheless, the legal aid system has introduced measures to strengthen resilience, including administrative consolidation, expanded digitalisation, mental health support for staff and specialised training on communication with traumatised individuals and vulnerable groups. Ukraine has also progressively expanded eligibility for free secondary legal aid, including for victims of war crimes, persons without documented citizenship and other groups facing heightened vulnerabilities (European Commission, 2023[11]).

Overall, Ukraine’s legal aid system has demonstrated significant resilience and adaptability under wartime conditions. However, further efforts could strengthen co-ordination across providers, simplify access procedures, improve public awareness, expand user feedback mechanisms and ensure more consistent coverage across regions and population groups. Developing stronger referral systems linking legal aid with courts, ADR, social services, victim support and administrative services could further support a more integrated and people-centred justice service continuum.

6.3.4. Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights

The UPCHR serves as Ukraine’s Ombud institution and plays an important role in protecting human rights and addressing complaints concerning violations of rights and freedoms by public authorities, local governments, officials, legal entities and private individuals. As demands on the institution have increased during wartime, the UPCHR’s responsibilities and workload have expanded particularly in relation to displacement, detention, missing persons, war-related violations and access to public services for populations affected by the war. In response, the UPCHR has broadened its regional presence and operational activities, although resource and capacity constraints remain significant (European Commission, 2025[24]). Strengthening institutional capacity, including at the subnational level, will remain important given the UPCHR’s broad mandate and growing responsibilities.

The UPCHR operates regional offices across Ukraine, several of which include Consultation Centres designed to facilitate communication with citizens and support timely responses to complaints and requests for assistance. The institution also conducts regular regional visits and engagement activities with local authorities, state institutions, CSOs and families of prisoners of war and missing persons (UPCHR, 2023[48]). In parallel, the UPCHR has introduced measures to simplify access to its services, including digital tools such as an online chatbot providing information across multiple categories relevant to IDPs, people in temporarily occupied territories and other war-affected populations (Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]). Accessibility measures have also been introduced to improve access for persons with physical disabilities.

The UPCHR has additionally implemented targeted initiatives to support groups facing barriers to justice and public services. These include pilot projects, developed in co-operation with the CoE, aimed at improving access to documentation for Roma communities and simplifying related legal procedures (UPCHR, 2023[48]). The institution additionally serves as the primary body responsible for receiving and following up on complaints relating to discrimination and became a member of the European Network of Equality Bodies in 2023. Through its role in co-ordinating the National Preventive Mechanism, the UPCHR also conducts monitoring visits to places of detention and court facilities, including assessments of accessibility conditions for persons with disabilities. Where barriers are identified, recommendations are issued to relevant authorities, including the SJA (Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]).

Capacity-building activities have been carried out for UPCHR staff, police officers, prosecutors and judges, including training on communication and engagement with users (UPCHR, 2023[48]). More broadly, Ukraine has adopted measures relating to fairness and involving all people and groups in society, including the 2030 Strategy for Promoting the Rights and Opportunities of Persons Belonging to the Roma National Minority and related action plan that need to be further implemented (European Commission, 2025[24]).

In response to the impacts of the war, the UPCHR has broadened its activities to include stronger focus on the rights of people affected by armed aggression and war-related violations. In May 2023, the Child Protection Centre was established within the UPCHR Secretariat to support children affected by war crimes, including through Barnahus-informed and trauma-sensitive interview approaches in child-friendly environments. The Centre supports reintegration and protection efforts for children returned to government-controlled territory or involved in criminal proceedings as victims or witnesses (Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]).

The UPCHR has also played a role in reviewing wartime legal measures affecting fundamental rights. For example, following concerns regarding compatibility between martial law detention provisions and constitutional guarantees relating to personal liberty, the UPCHR advocated for legislative adjustments. Subsequent amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code aligned detention procedures more closely with constitutional protections and judicial oversight requirements (International Legal System Consortium, 2023[49]). Yet broader challenges remain regarding compliance with European human rights standards and implementation of judgments of the ECtHR (European Commission, 2025[24]).3

6.3.5. ADR services

ADR mechanisms can support more accessible and flexible dispute resolution while reducing pressure on courts. In Ukraine, however, their use remains limited by uneven geographical coverage, fragmented infrastructure and low public awareness. Mediation is currently the most developed ADR mechanism, supported largely by CSOs, professional organisations and donor-funded initiatives. Recent reforms, including the 2021 Mediation Law and measures under the draft Strategy for the Development of the Justice System and Constitutional Justice for 2025-2029, indicate growing institutional support for mediation, online procedures and broader ADR development. At the same time, data collection, quality assurance and referral systems remain underdeveloped, limiting the ability to assess usage, outcomes and service gaps. Wartime conditions have also affected the availability and distribution of ADR services, although some organisations have adapted mediation and restorative justice initiatives to respond to evolving needs. Box ‎6.8 below provides examples of how OECD countries have implemented mandatory mediation for certain case types.

Box ‎6.8. Mandatory mediation in Italy and Australia

Italy

Italy introduced mandatory mediation in 2011. The Italian Bar Association initially voiced concerns, resulting in attorney strikes and refusals to participate in court proceedings. Despite the resistance, the Constitutional Court of Italy declared mandatory mediation constitutional. Today, mediation is possible for certain disputes, such as division of assets, trust and real estate disputes, landlord and tenant disputes and motor vehicle and maritime accidents.

Australia

In Australia, the Civil Dispute Resolution Act of 2011 requires that parties take genuine steps to resolve their dispute before commencing a court proceeding. Courts throughout Australia have the power to refer parties to mediation without their consent. When parties refuse to engage in mediation or fail to participate in good faith, the court can sanction them. According to the Civil Dispute Resolution Act the following elements are seen as genuine steps:

• notifying the other party of issues in dispute and offering to discuss them with a view to resolving the dispute

• providing relevant information and documents to the other party so that they can understand the issues involved and how the dispute might be resolved

• considering whether the dispute could be resolved by a process facilitated by another person, including an ADR process or attempting to negotiate with the other person, with a view to resolving some or all the issues in dispute.

Source: (ADRCenter, 2017[50]; Matteeucci, 2022[51]; Government of Australia, 2011[52]; The Barrister Group, 2024[53]; Attorney-General's Department, 2025[54]).

Further reforms are also planned to strengthen arbitration and data collection systems. The Strategy aims to improve the legal framework for arbitration courts and strengthen arbitration as a mechanism for resolving international economic disputes and protecting investments. As noted in Chapter 3, the Government of Ukraine is also considering mechanisms for systematic ADR data collection, including mandatory reporting by mediators on qualitative and quantitative aspects of their work. The Rule of Law Roadmap similarly envisages stronger data collection on ADR usage, including indicators relating to mediation activity and the number of mediators.

Several initiatives also seek to improve accessibility and expand ADR services for specific groups. The Public Union “Ukrainian Academy of Mediation” (UAM) is developing mediator training for users of Ukrainian Sign Language to support persons with hearing and speech impairments (Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]). CSOs and international organisations have also supported targeted mediation initiatives. In parallel, the CCLAP and the Probation Service have piloted restorative justice programmes for minors accused of criminal offences, with 145 agreements concluded between 9 September 2024 and 31 December 2025 (CCLAP, 2025[55]).

The war has nevertheless affected the availability and distribution of ADR services, as many mediators relocated abroad or to safer parts of Ukraine (Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]). In response, some organisations have adapted services to wartime needs. For example, the UAM’s “Strength of Change” programme provides veterans with mediation training and access to extrajudicial dispute resolution, while partnerships with the MoJ support mediation in international child abduction cases. However, evidence on the long-term sustainability and impact of many of these initiatives remains limited.

Overall, limited public awareness and uneven trust continue to constrain ADR usage in Ukraine. Although the 2016 constitutional amendments opened the possibility for mandatory pre-trial dispute resolution in certain cases, mediation remains largely voluntary and underused (OECD, 2024[18]). Continued implementation of the 2021 Mediation Law, alongside the MoJ’s draft mediation plan, could help strengthen ADR pathways through clearer registration systems, quality assurance procedures, stronger data collection and more visible referral mechanisms. Integrating ADR more fully into Ukraine’s broader justice service map could also improve awareness of and access to non-court dispute resolution pathways.

6.3.6. Other local and targeted justice services

Community Justice Centres

Community Justice Centres (CJCs) are multidisciplinary community-based hubs that bring together lawyers, psychologists and community actors to provide accessible entry points to justice services. Operating in several oblasts of Ukraine, including areas with high concentrations of IDPs, veterans and individuals in vulnerable situations, CJCs aim to bridge gaps between communities and formal justice institutions. Some centres also use satellite offices and mobile outreach models to deliver services directly within affected communities. For example, the CJC in Odesa Oblast has adapted its activities to local needs through in situ service delivery and tailored support initiatives (Victim Support Europe, 2024[31]). By combining legal, psychosocial and community-oriented support, CJCs function as trusted one-stop entry points within the broader justice service continuum.

Several CJCs have also introduced targeted support for war-affected populations. The Kyiv Oblast CJC, for instance, has supported IDPs through training on participation in local governance, psychosocial support activities and mediation services, including in disputes involving displaced persons (LDN, 2024[56]). However, the instability of donor-funded programmes may affect the long-term sustainability and future development of some centres.

CJCs broadly align with OECD approaches promoting integrated and community-based access to justice services. However, they remain largely civil society-led initiatives and continue to rely heavily on donor support and international funding (LDN, 2024[56]). Limited state involvement in financing, governance and institutional integration may contribute to uneven service coverage and sustainability challenges.

In addition, CJCs currently operate without unified standards, common information systems or harmonised service models, which can limit consistency, monitoring and scalability. Data on service users, case types and outcomes are not systematically collected or reviewed across centres. Reported caseloads vary significantly, with some CJCs reportedly addressing several thousand complaints annually while others report substantially lower volumes over multiple years. While CJCs demonstrate considerable potential to improve local access to justice and strengthen trust in institutions, their current scope remains relatively limited, including in areas such as criminal justice services and victim support (Victim Support Europe, 2024[31]).

More broadly, the absence of a co-ordinated national framework contributes to fragmented reporting and uneven data collection across centres and participating organisations. Expanding co-ordination with state institutions and integrating CJCs more closely into referral networks could help strengthen their role within Ukraine’s justice service ecosystem, particularly for war-affected populations and people living in remote or frontline areas. Box ‎6.9 presents international examples of co-location and one-stop justice service models.

Box ‎6.9. Co-location and one-stop shop models for access to justice

Colombia

Colombia’s Justice Houses (Casas de Justicia) provide a long-standing example of co-located justice services aimed at improving access for underserved communities. Established in 1995, these centres bring together a range of institutions in a single location, including prosecutors, public defenders, legal aid providers, social services and local authorities.

They operate as “multi-door” entry points, offering legal information, advice, dispute resolution and selected administrative and judicial services. The centres address a wide range of issues, including family disputes, domestic violence and minor criminal matters, and are particularly relevant for specific groups with vulnerabilities, such as IDPs.

A central feature of the model is its emphasis on accessibility. Services are generally free of charge, procedures are simplified and centres are located within communities with high levels of unmet legal needs. By integrating multiple providers in one place, the model reduces the need for users to navigate complex institutional pathways and supports more timely and appropriate responses to justice problems.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s One-Stop Crisis Centres illustrate the use of co-location to provide integrated support to victims of violence. Developed in the mid-1990s within hospital settings, the model was designed to address gaps in co-ordination between health, police and social services.

The Centres are typically based in emergency departments and provide medical care alongside access to social support, police reporting and legal assistance. This arrangement enables victims of domestic and sexual violence to receive multiple forms of support in a single location, reducing delays and limiting the need for repeated referrals.

The model has been scaled nationally and embedded within the public health system. Its implementation has relied on co-operation between government agencies and CSOs, although challenges remain in ensuring consistent resourcing and co-ordination across locations.

Source: (Colombini et al., 2011[57]; OECD, 2011[58]; HiiL, 2021[59]).

Local administrative services

As part of Ukraine’s decentralisation and public administration reform agenda, ASCs operate as one-stop public service hubs established by local self-government bodies to bring administrative services closer to people. ASCs provide a broad range of civil and administrative services, including document registration, social benefits and business-related services. As of the end of the second quarter of 2024, the ASC network reportedly included 4 585 units, with remote services accounting for the largest share of the network (67%), followed by permanent ASC facilities (29%). On average, ASCs currently provide between 200 and 400 administrative services (ALI et al., 2024[60]).

Accessibility and user satisfaction with ASCs appear relatively strong overall. User satisfaction with ASC services reached 94.7% as of November 2024, significantly exceeding the target established under the Strategy for Public Administration Reform in Ukraine (ALI et al., 2024[60]). National surveys also indicate improvements in perceptions regarding convenience and speed of service delivery. In 2025, the number of ASCs accessible to people with disabilities and reduced mobility reached 74% (European Commission, 2025[24]) At the same time, accessibility challenges remain, particularly in war-affected areas with the level of accessibility deteriorated in some de-occupied and affected communities due to damage to infrastructure and the use of temporary premises (ALI et al., 2024[60]).

The expansion of digital public services and interoperability has also become a central feature of ASC reform. The Government has prioritised increasing the number of electronic public services through the “Diia” ecosystem and improving interoperability through the Trembita system. As of the end of 2023, more than 130 electronic services were available through Diia, while over 20.5 million users had reportedly accessed the application by mid-2024 (ALI et al., 2024[60]). The Government also plans to strengthen access to the Electronic Court through ASCs, enabling citizens to participate remotely in hearings and submit or receive procedural documents through ASC facilities. At the same time, digital literacy remains a key objective to continue building the digital skills of the population. This reinforces the importance of maintaining accessible in-person and assisted service models through ASCs.

Despite progress, several structural and operational challenges continue to affect the ASC system. The integration of certain services into ASCs remains uneven, particularly in areas such as civil registry services, passport services, pension services and vehicle registration, partly due to institutional fragmentation, technical constraints and limited transfer of powers from central authorities. Financial sustainability also remains a challenge. Approximately 90% of ASCs’ services are reportedly provided free of charge (ALI et al., 2024[60]), while the costs of maintaining centres are borne primarily by local budgets, which remain under significant pressure during wartime.

Given their extensive territorial coverage, strong public visibility and existing role as accessible first-entry points for citizens, ASCs could play a much greater role within Ukraine’s broader justice service continuum. In practice, many legal and justice problems are closely connected to administrative needs, including documentation, social protection, displacement, housing and registration issues. Strengthening links between ASCs and legal aid providers, courts, mediation services, CJCs and other justice actors could therefore help create more integrated and people-centred pathways to justice. This could include stronger referral mechanisms, co-located services, legal information provision and digital connections to justice institutions.

The Government of Ukraine has already begun moving in this direction by planning investments to expand access to the Electronic Court through ASCs. This would allow individuals to participate remotely in hearings, submit procedural documents and receive court-related information through local ASC facilities. Further integration of justice services into the network of ASCs could help improve accessibility, particularly for people in rural, remote, frontline and war-affected communities.

6.4. Empowering people to navigate the justice system

Justice services, particularly formal justice services, can be complex, intimidating and difficult for individuals to navigate. Ensuring a people-centred justice system requires a multifaceted approach to empower individuals and remove barriers to access related to legal illiteracy, lack of awareness of justice services and pathways, and limited access to understandable information (OECD, 2021[1]). The OECD Recommendation stresses that user empowerment and legal capability are central to a fair and accessible justice system, equipping people with the knowledge and tools to assert their rights and engage effectively with justice services.

6.4.1. Legal awareness and outreach

Across multiple assessments, limited public awareness of legal rights, available remedies and justice services emerges as a recurring barrier to access to justice in Ukraine. Many people rely on informal networks or online sources for legal information, which may not always provide reliable or comprehensive guidance. Surveys have shown that significant portions of the population either do not seek assistance when facing legal problems or do not recognise their problems as requiring legal intervention (KhISR, 2011[2]; HiiL, 2016[3]; WJP, 2018[4]). This reflects broader challenges relating to legal literacy, trust in institutions and awareness of available justice pathways. These barriers can be particularly acute for people living in remote or frontline areas, including for Roma communities (OSCE/ODIHR, 2024[61]; OECD, 2026[44]).

Strengthening public legal awareness and legal empowerment is therefore an important element of a people-centred justice system. When people understand their rights and know where to seek help, they are better able to prevent disputes, identify legal problems early and access appropriate remedies (ALI, 2025[62]). Ukraine has introduced a range of initiatives to improve legal awareness, including through the MoJ, the CCLAP, the judiciary, the UPCHR and ADR institutions (Box ‎6.10), alongside targeted state strategies4 addressing the needs of IDPs, veterans, youth, Roma communities and other groups facing vulnerabilities. Recent efforts have included legal awareness campaigns, legal education initiatives, digital legal information platforms and outreach activities linked to wartime needs and displacement (Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]).

Box ‎6.10. Strategies implemented by Ukrainian institutions to enhance public awareness

Supreme Court:

• educational visits and workshops for schoolchildren on the justice system and legal professions

• publication of legal opinions and public legal information through the SC’s website and social media

• public lectures, conferences and outreach events on rights and access to justice

• targeted materials and training for groups with vulnerabilities, including IDPs, children and veterans

• transparency measures, including publication of court decisions.

Office of the Prosecutor General

• public legal information through hotlines and awareness activities

• educational programmes for children on rights and legal protection mechanisms

• Community Prosecutor Project promoting co-operation with local authorities and public awareness on security, rights and access to justice (pilot ended in December 2024)

• creation and placement of materials for the public: brochures, booklets, videos

• public involvement: conducting educational events, trainings, activities of various working groups, involving NGOs in the implementation of certain tasks and projects, in particular, the referral mechanism of the victim and witness support system introduced on the basis of the VWCC of the OPG.

Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights:

• public awareness campaigns through brochures, videos, legal updates and social media

• training, seminars and conferences on human rights protection

• multi-channel complaint and support mechanisms, including hotlines, online communication and in-person assistance

• regular publication of reports and thematic legal information materials.

Co-ordination Centre for Legal Aid Provision

• outreach and legal awareness activities targeting groups with vulnerabilities

• development of WikiLegalAid, an online legal information platform

• awareness raising on ADR through legal aid services and educational activities.

Ukrainian Academy of Mediation

• public information materials and awareness campaigns on mediation and ADR

• Mediation-Help Platform facilitating access to mediators

• educational tools for children and youth on mediation

• mediation services and awareness activities in courts and universities.

The International Commercial Arbitration Court and Maritime Arbitration Commission at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have organised regional awareness events promoting arbitration and mediation among businesses and legal professionals.

The CMU has also adopted several implementation plans and strategies aimed at strengthening awareness and protection of rights among specific groups, including plans relating to veteran policy, Roma rights and human rights protection. As of April 2026, work is ongoing on a new National Human Rights Strategy.

Source: (VRU, 2021[63]; 2023[64]; 2024[65]; OECD, 2025[30]; Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]; International Renaissance Foundation, 2026[66]; VRU, 2026[67]).

Ukraine has also developed several online platforms designed to centralise legal information and support access to services. These include Dovidka.info, which provides fact-checked guidance on legal and emergency issues, and the Survivors Relief Platform, which helps war-affected people access legal, psychosocial and social support. The WikiLegalAid platform (Box ‎6.11) developed by the CCLAP has become a widely used source of legal information and guidance, recording significant growth in usage both within Ukraine and among displaced Ukrainians abroad (Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]). These initiatives demonstrate the growing role of digital tools in supporting legal empowerment and expanding access to information.

Box ‎6.11. The WikiLegalAid Platform: a step towards enhanced legal awareness in Ukraine

WikiLegalAid is an online platform created by the CCLAP to improve legal awareness and provide accessible legal information to Ukrainians. The platform offers free access to legal consultations, current legislation, court decisions and sample legal forms. It provides a centralised source of legal information, aiming to support individuals in understanding legal issues and accessing relevant resources. The platform serves a broad audience, including legal professionals, students, human rights advocates and individuals seeking legal guidance.

WikiLegalAid operates on a model similar to Wikipedia, where a team of legal professionals, including lawyers from Ukraine’s free legal aid system, develops and updates the content. The platform is continuously revised to reflect legislative changes and judicial practices, ensuring the accuracy and relevance of the information provided.

Main features include:

• organised structure: legal topics are systematically categorised for ease of access

• regular updates: legal consultations and documents are kept current with changes in the law

• comprehensive coverage: users can access explanations of legal issues and related topics

• accessibility: the platform is available online without registration or data submission

• general usability: content is designed to be understandable for legal professionals and the general public

• cost-free access: all consultations and resources on the platform are available at no charge

• barrier‑free access to legal information for national minorities: legal materials being prepared in Crimean Tatar.

Source: (CCLAP, 2025[68]; OECD, 2025[30]; Government of Ukraine, 2025[40]).

At the same time, legal awareness efforts in Ukraine remain fragmented and unevenly co-ordinated across institutions and service providers. While targeted initiatives exist for specific groups, Ukraine does not yet have a unified national strategy for public legal awareness and legal empowerment. A more integrated approach could help strengthen co-ordination among institutions, improve consistency of messaging and better connect people to appropriate entry points, referral pathways and justice services. In particular, stronger outreach and tailored communication strategies may be needed for war-affected populations, displaced persons and groups facing heightened vulnerabilities.

Improving legal literacy also requires linking awareness efforts more closely to people’s actual legal and justice needs. Legal needs assessments can help identify which groups require information, what kinds of support are needed and which communication channels are most effective. In this regard, Ukraine’s assessments of war victims and displaced populations provide useful examples of how legal awareness and service design can be informed by people’s lived experiences and legal pathways. Strengthening triage and referral systems consistent with a “no wrong door” approach could further support navigation across justice institutions and services. OECD country practices, such as the Netherlands’ Juridisch Loket and online Rechtwijzer platform, illustrate how integrated legal information, guidance and referral systems can support early problem resolution and improve access to justice (OECD, 2021[1]).

Box ‎6.12. People-centred approach to delivering legal information to war victims

Information provision is a key and uncontroversial right of victims, playing an important role in their recovery. Providing information helps prevent secondary victimisation, supports improved access to justice and other services and encourages victims’ participation in proceedings, leading to better outcomes. Victims’ right to information is emphasised throughout the EU Victims’ Rights Directive, which guarantees access to essential details starting at first contact with authorities. This includes information on available support services, protection mechanisms, compensation options and ongoing communication with the justice system. Moreover, victims have the right to be informed about the progress of criminal proceedings, except when disclosure could compromise the investigation.

Generally, citizens learn about services for war victims from several sources. The most popular source of information is the internet. In Ukraine, several resources provide information for victims of war crimes. The Dovidka.info website, a government-run platform, offers fact-checked, easily accessible information on emergency situations, psychological support services and survival guidance. It is widely recognised and promoted through national television. Similarly, The Survivors Relief Platform, launched by the Ukrainian government and the United Nations Population Fund, provides centralised access to psychological, legal and social assistance. The platform offers information to help people understand and address the consequences of violence, ensuring verified, confidential and free services for all Ukrainians, including those abroad.

Despite the availability of these online resources, accessing information remains a challenge. Many victims may not know where to look, struggle with overwhelming amounts of information, or lack internet access. Moreover, direct, personalised support – such as in-person assistance, helplines, email services or live chats – is limited or non-existent, except for the few services provided by CSOs. This gap is particularly substantial for victims who choose not to pursue criminal proceedings but still require guidance on their rights and options. In many cases, victims receive only a basic informational leaflet, which is often insufficient for understanding their legal situation.

Moreover, obtaining updates on the status of criminal proceedings is reportedly difficult, with victims facing significant barriers in accessing information from authorities. These challenges highlight the need for improved direct communication channels, expanded outreach efforts and more comprehensive, accessible legal information for victims of war crimes in Ukraine.

Source: (European Union, 2012[69]; Victim Support Europe, 2024[31]).

6.5. Recommendations

In view of the assessment, Ukraine may wish to consider the following recommendations:

1. Enhance people-centred purpose and culture in the justice system. This could include:

Key recommendation

• Embedding a people-centred purpose explicitly in the justice sector strategy and legislation, while using ‘access to justice’ as a consistent reference point for planning, designing and implementing justice services

Supporting recommendation

• Strengthening a public service approach to delivering justice services by aligning leadership commitments, training and professional standards, as well as performance indicators and appraisal criteria with fairness, responsiveness and dignity for justice users.

2. Strengthen the design and delivery of accessible and responsive legal and justice services. This could include:

Key recommendations

• Undertaking periodic legal needs and trust surveys, building on existing evidence, to better capture people’s legal needs, justice problems, pathways and experiences, and to inform the design of appropriate justice services

• Mapping legal and justice services, moving beyond judicial and prosecution maps to develop a national ‘justice services map’ covering courts, ADR, CJCs, legal aid, notaries, enforcement and specialised victim and transitional justice services and mechanisms

• Developing a territorial planning approach for justice services by assessing supply and demand for justice services, and aligning judicial remapping, legal aid, ADR, digital services, prosecution services and community-based support mechanisms with evolving legal needs, displacement patterns and accessibility gaps across regions, particularly in underserved areas and regions affected by the war

• Strengthening integrated referral pathways and interoperability across justice, legal aid, social, health and community-based services, including through common protocols, co-ordination mechanisms and user-centred service navigation approaches

• Improving accessibility and uptake of ADR mechanisms, including mediation, as part of broader people-centred justice pathways by actively promoting awareness of ADR among the public, strengthening the implementation of the Mediation Law with more coherent national co-ordination, quality assurance and data collection mechanisms

• Reducing cost barriers by reviewing court fees for minor claims and simplifying eligibility for secondary legal aid

Supporting recommendations

• Clarifying and strengthening the role of CJCs as main local entry points for justice services, responsible for gathering information, handling early triage and referral and assigning specialised pathways for victims and witnesses to the Victims and Witnesses’ Coordination Centre (VWCC), and more sustainable financing arrangements

• Strengthening governance and co-ordination across the broader justice service ecosystem, including clearer institutional responsibilities and stronger co-operation between justice institutions, local authorities, partnerships with CSOs relating to referrals, outreach, joint training and quality assurance, and international partners

• Expanding accessible, secure and user-friendly digital justice services, including legal aid and small claims assistance through e-kiosks, online platforms and applications such as Diia, while addressing risks for those without access to digital tools and accessibility barriers impacting populations directly affected by the war and individuals in vulnerable situations

• Strengthening the quality, independence and territorial coverage of the legal profession, including defence lawyers, minimum quality standards linked to legal aid contracting, continuous professional development on war-related claims and incentives to serve within remote areas and regions directly affected by the war

• Ensuring the effective implementation of the National Strategy for Protecting Children’s Rights in the Justice System until 2028 by strengthening inter-institutional co-ordination, clarifying roles and responsibilities across justice and child protection actors, ensuring sustainable financing and embedding monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track outcomes for children

• Strengthening the protection of fundamental rights through simplified procedures, clearer guidance and considering reforms to the constitutional complaint mechanism to allow challenges to alleged violations of rights beyond those arising solely from judicial decisions

• Reviewing civil, administrative and criminal procedural legislation from a people-centred perspective, with a view to simplifying procedures, strengthening safeguards for people in vulnerable situations and ensuring that digital and remote processes improve access to justice

• Strengthening co-ordination between ordinary justice services, victim-support mechanisms and transitional justice-related processes to support coherent pathways for people directly affected by the war

• Assessing the long-term sustainability and scalability of wartime justice innovations, including digital tools, outreach services, specialised victim support mechanisms, trauma-informed approaches and community-based justice initiatives introduced during the war.

3. Continue empowering people and communities to participate in justice design and delivery. This could include:

Key recommendations

• Implementing targeted public communication and outreach on available justice pathways and services by tailoring information to different populations and circumstances – with emphasis on legal aid and ADR, constitutional justice and victim support mechanisms – while clearly identifying entry, referral pathways and available support services

• Strengthening the participation of CSOs in policymaking and law-making by supporting the co-design of legal and justice services between service providers and users, drawing on people’s needs and lived experiences

Supporting recommendation

• Building further legal awareness and literacy through unified education platforms, community outreach, helplines, legal aid clinics and targeted mobile outreach for individuals and groups facing barriers related to displacement, lack of access to digital tools or limited trust in institutions.

References

[50] ADRCenter (2017), The Italian Mediation Law on Civil and Commercial Disputes, https://mediatorsbeyondborders.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/The-Italian-Mediation-Law.pdf.

[12] Advokat Post (2024), From 1 January 2024, court fee rates have changed, https://advokatpost.com/z-1-sichnia-2024-roku-zminylys-stavky-sudovoho-zboru/.

[19] AIJA (2025), Problem solving courts, Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration, https://aija.org.au/atjc-problem-solving-courts-2/.

[62] ALI (2025), Administrative Justice as a Tool for Influencing Public Administration, https://parlament.org.ua/en/analytics/administrative-justice-as-a-tool-for-influencing-public-administration/.

[60] ALI et al. (2024), Shadow Report on Chapter 23 “Justice and Fundamental Rights” of the European Commission’s Report on Ukraine in 2023, Agency for Legislative Initiatives (ALI)/Transparency International Ukraine/Human Rights Centre ZMINA (Ukraine)/Tomorrow`s Lawyer/The Ukrainian Bar Association (UBA), https://parlament.org.ua/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ali_shadowreport_chapter23_eng.pdf.

[54] Attorney-General’s Department (2025), Civil Dispute Resolution Act 2011, https://www.ag.gov.au/legal-system/alternative-dispute-resolution/civil-dispute-resolution-act-2011.

[45] CCLAP (2026), Report of the Free Legal Aid System for 2025, Coordination Centre for Legal Aid Provision, https://legalaid.gov.ua/novyny/zvit-systemy-nadannya-bezoplatnoyi-pravnychoyi-dopomogy-za-2025-rik/.

[55] CCLAP (2025), Information and analytical report on the progress of the implementation of the pilot project “Restorative Justice Program with the participation of minors who are suspects, accused of committing a criminal offense”, Coordination Centre for Legal Aid Provision, https://legalaid.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/vp-informaczijno-analitychnyj-zvit-hid-realizacziyi-programy-vp-za-uchastyu-nepovnolitnihdocx.pdf.

[68] CCLAP (2025), WikiLegalAid, Coordination Centre for Legal Aid Provision, https://legalaid.wiki/index.php?title=%D0%93%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B0_%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%96%D0%BD%D0%BA%D0%B0.

[41] CCU (2022), Decision of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine of 12 October 2022 (No. 7-р(II)/2022), Constitutional Court of Ukraine, https://ccu.gov.ua/sites/default/files/docs/7-rii2022_0.pdf.

[70] CEPEJ (2025), Support for a better evaluation of the results of judicial reform efforts in the Eastern Partnership “Justice Dashboard EaP” Action, European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice, https://www.coe.int/documents/29148167/192423568/20250711+-+EaP+Dashboard+-+Deliverable+1.pdf/bbb05c7b-cabe-7632-70a1-7a955b708b4c?t=1764238848396.

[34] CEPEJ (2024), European judicial systems - CEPEJ Evaluation Report: 2024 Evaluation cycle (2022 data), European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice, https://rm.coe.int/cepej-evaluation-report-part-1-en-/1680b272ac.

[25] CMU (2021), Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on approval of the National Strategy for the creation of a barrier-free space in Ukraine for the period up to 2030, Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/366-2021-%D1%80#n10.

[9] CoE (2026), Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights: Ukraine, Council of Europe, https://www.coe.int/en/web/execution/ukraine.

[17] CoE (2023), Gender equality, balanced political participation and representation of women and men in post war public and political processes in Ukraine: Challenges and perspectives, Council of Europe, https://rm.coe.int/gender-balanced-political-participation-eng/1680aedbb0.

[57] Colombini, M. et al. (2011), “One stop crisis centres: A policy analysis of the Malaysian response to intimate partner violence”, Health Research Policy and System, https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4505-9-25.

[46] DRC (2023), Legal Aid in a Year of War, Danish Refugee Council, https://drc.ngo/media/2arlpw0t/legal-aid-in-a-year-of-war-in-ukraine-en.pdf.

[24] European Commission (2025), Ukraine 2025 Report, https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/17115494-8122-4d10-8a06-2cf275eecde7_en?filename=ukraine-report-2025.pdf.

[21] European Commission (2024), Ukraine 2024 Report, https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/1924a044-b30f-48a2-99c1-50edeac14da1_en?filename=Ukraine%20Report%202024.pdf.

[11] European Commission (2023), Ukraine 2023 Report, https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2023-11/SWD_2023_699%20Ukraine%20report.pdf.

[23] European Disability Forum (2023), Rights of Persons with Disabilities During the War in Ukraine, https://www.edf-feph.org/content/uploads/2023/02/PDF-Summary-of-monitoring-report-Rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-during-the-war-in-Ukraine.pdf.

[69] European Union (2012), EUR-Lex Access to European Union Law, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:32012L0029.

[52] Government of Australia (2011), Civil Dispute Resolution Act 2011 (No. 17, 2011), https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2011A00017/latest/text.

[37] Government of the United Kingdom (2025), GOV.UK, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/courts-and-tribunals-additional-capacity-during-coronavirus-outbreak-nightingale-courts.

[40] Government of Ukraine (2025), Response to OECD Questionnaire Justice Stakeholders, Government of Ukraine.

[59] HiiL (2021), Case Study: “Casas de Justicia” in Colombia, The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law, https://dashboard.hiil.org/publications/trend-report-2021-delivering-justice/case-study-casas-de-justicia-colombia/.

[5] HiiL (2020), Justice Needs and Satisfaction Survey mSMEs Ukraine, The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law, https://www.hiil.org/research/justice-needs-and-satisfaction-survey-msmes-ukraine/.

[3] HiiL (2016), Justice Needs in Ukraine - 2016: Legal Problems in Daily Life, The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law, https://www.hiil.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Justice-Needs-and-Satisfaction-in-Ukraine_EN.pdf.

[49] International Legal System Consortium (2023), Under Assault: A Status Report on the Ukrainian Justice System in Wartime, https://www.ibanet.org/document?id=ILAC-Report-on-the-Ukrainian-Justice-System-in-Wartime-2022-July.

[66] International Renaissance Foundation (2026), What should a human rights action plan look like: the views of the authorities and civil society, https://www.irf.ua/yakym-maye-buty-plan-dij-u-sferi-prav-lyudyny-pozycziyi-vlady-j-gromadyanskogo-suspilstva/.

[39] Judiciary of Scotland (n.d.), Judiciary of Scotland, https://www.judiciary.scot/home/judiciary/judicial-office-holders/sheriffs/part-time-sheriffs.

[38] Judiciary UK (2025), Courts and Tribunals Judiciary Health, Education and Social Care Chamber, https://www.judiciary.uk/courts-and-tribunals/tribunals/first-tier-tribunal/health-education-and-social-care-chamber/.

[22] KhISR (2023), Rights of persons with disabilities during the war in Ukraine, https://www.edf-feph.org/content/uploads/2023/02/PDF-Summary-of-monitoring-report-Rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-during-the-war-in-Ukraine.pdf.

[2] KhISR (2011), Level of legal capacity of the Ukrainian Population: Accessibility and effectiveness of legal services, International Renaissance Foundation Kharkiv Institute Of Social Research, https://khisr.kharkov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/R_eng.pdf.

[56] LDN (2024), How a non-governmental organization in Kyiv oblast reopened the Community Justice Center, Legal Development Network, https://ldn.org.ua/en/success-story/yak-hromadska-orhanizatsiia-na-kyivshchyni-vidnovyla-robotu-hromadskoho-tsentru-pravosuddia/.

[47] LDN (2023), Legal Development Network’s Report 2023, Legal Development Network, https://ldn.org.ua/en/reports/.

[6] LDN (2021), Legal needs of informal laborers in Ukraine: causes, consequences, possible solutions, Legal Development Network, https://ldn.org.ua/en/useful-material/legal-needs-of-informal-laborers-in-ukraine-causes-consequences-possible-solutions-executive-summary-of-the-study/.

[51] Matteeucci, G. (2022), Compulsory Civil Mediation in Italy 2011-2021, https://mediate.com/compulsory-civil-mediation-in-italy-2011-2021/.

[14] MoJ (2024), Response to the Draft Inception Report under the Justice Review of Ukraine, Ministry of Justice.

[20] New York State Bar Association (2023), The ‘One Family, One Judge’ Court Model: Instituting Integrated Domestic Violence Courts in the United States, https://nysba.org/the-one-family-one-judge-court-model-instituting-integrated-domestic-violence-courts-in-the-united-states/.

[44] OECD (2026), Anti‑Corruption and Integrity Outlook 2026: Ukraine Country Note, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2026/03/anti-corruption-and-integrity-outlook-2026-country-notes_b1df9263/ukraine_904c61de/3b2dc8e9-en.pdf.

[28] OECD (2026), Ukraine’s Strategic Response to the Displacement Crisis: Return, Reintegrate, Reconnect, OECD Publishing, https://doi.org/10.1787/9b773da4-en.

[27] OECD (2025), International Migration Outlook 2025, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/ae26c893-en.

[30] OECD (2025), OECD’s Fact-Finding Mission meetings with Ukrainian Justice Stakeholders and Civil Society Organisations, December 2024-January 2025.

[36] OECD (2024), OECD Justice Review of Peru: Towards Effective and Transparent Justice Institutions for Inclusive Growth, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/bb556518-en.

[18] OECD (2024), Scoping Interviews with Ukrainian Justice Stakeholders and Civil Society Organisations.

[1] OECD (2021), OECD Framework and Good Practice Principles for People-Centred Justice, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/cdc3bde7-en.

[13] OECD (2020), Gender Equality in Colombia: Access to Justice and Politics at a Local Level, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/b956ef57-en.

[58] OECD (2011), Preventing and Reducing Armed Violence in Urban Areas: Programming Note, OECD Publishing, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264107199-en.

[43] OPG (2025), Results of the Victims and Witnesses Coordination Centre for 2024, Office of the Prosecutor General, https://gp.gov.ua/ua/posts/pidsumki-roboti-koordinaciinogo-centru-pidtrimki-poterpilix-i-svidkiv-za-2024-rik.

[42] OPG (2023), Concept for implementation of the Support Mechanism for victims and witnesses of war and other international crimes, Office of the Prosecutor General, https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/v0103905-23#Text.

[61] OSCE/ODIHR (2024), Report on the Human Rights Situation of Internally Displaced Roma People in Ukraine, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/3/6/573736.pdf.

[32] Smaliuk, R. and T. Ruda (2022), Ukrainian Justice Matrix: Assessment of the Ukrainian Justice System under the EU Justice Scoreboard 2022 Methodology, Centre of Policy and Legal Reform/The International Renaissance Foundation, https://pravo.org.ua/en/books/ukrainian-justice-mat.

[53] The Barrister Group (2024), Is mandatory mediation the future?, https://thebarristergroup.co.uk/blog/is-mandatory-mediation-the-future.

[29] UHHRU (2024), UHHRU Annual Report 2023, Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union, https://www.helsinki.org.ua/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Annual-Report-2023.pdf.

[33] Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health (n.d.), Health Right International, https://www.healthright.org.ua/en/proekti/barnahus/.

[8] UNDP (2024), Survey on the Legal Needs of Veterans and Their Family Members, United Nations Development Programme, https://www.undp.org/ukraine/publications/survey-legal-needs-veterans-and-their-family-members#.

[7] UNDP (2023), Availability of Legal Aid in the context of Martial Law, United Nations Development Programme, https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-03/Report%20Summary%20-N.pdf.

[15] UNFPA Ukraine (2025), Voices from Ukraine Report: Assessment Findings and Recommendations, https://ukraine.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/2025-03/Voices%20from%20Ukraine_Report_2024_0.pdf.

[35] UPCHR (2026), Annual Report of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights on Observance and Protection of Human and Civil Rights and Freedoms in Ukraine in 2025, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, https://www.ombudsman.gov.ua/storage/app/media/uploaded-files/1-22042026-0951-angl-shchorichna-dopovid-2025.pdf.

[26] UPCHR (2024), Special report on the observance of the rights of national minorities (communities) and indigenous peoples in the conditions of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine for the period from 24 February 2022 to 31 December 2023, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, https://ombudsman.gov.ua/storage/app/media/uploaded-files/Special%20report_compressed.pdf.

[48] UPCHR (2023), 2023 Report Let’s stand for Ukraine! Let’s not let it fall!, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, https://ombudsman.gov.ua/storage/app/media/uploaded-files/richnii-brif-2023-eng.pdf.

[16] UPCHR (2023), National Minorities and Indigenous People Under Occupation: The Struggle for Survival, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, https://ombudsman.gov.ua/storage/app/media/uploaded-files/doslidzhennyanatsionalnimenshinispilnotiikorinninarodivokupatsii-1.pdf.

[31] Victim Support Europe (2024), Beneficiaries’ Institutional Capacities and Needs in the Area of Victims Support in War Crime Cases in Ukraine, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), https://www.undp.org/ukraine/publications/beneficiaries-institutional-capacities-and-needs-area-victim-support-war-crimes-cases-ukraine.

[67] VRU (2026), Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on approval of the Operational Action Plan for 2026-2028 on the Implementation of the Strategy for Promoting the Realisation of the Rights and Opportunities of the Roma National Minority until 2030 (No. 231-r), Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/231-2026-%D1%80#Text.

[65] VRU (2024), Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on approval of the Veterans Policy Strategy for the period up to 2030 and approval of the operational plan of measures for its implementation in 2024-2027 (No. 1209-r), Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1209-2024-%D1%80#Text.

[64] VRU (2023), Order of the CMU on Approval of the Action Plan for 2024-2025 on the Implementation of the Strategy for Promoting the Realisation of the Rights and Opportunities of the Roma National Minority in Ukrainian Society until 2030 (No. 1197-r), Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1197-2023-%D1%80#Text.

[63] VRU (2021), Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on approval of the Action Plan for the Implementation of the National Human Rights Strategy for 2021-2023 (No. 756-r), Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/756-2021-%D1%80#Text.

[10] VRU (2020), The Constitution of Ukraine, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/main/en/254%D0%BA/96-%D0%B2%D1%80#Text.

[4] WJP (2018), Global Insights on Access to Justice, World Justice Project, https://worldjusticeproject.org/access-to-justice-data/#/country/UKR.

Notes

← 1.  According to 2022-2024 European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) data, this rate is significantly higher than neighbouring country Poland (1.0) and Eastern Partnership countries: Moldova (0.6), Georgia (0.7), Azerbaijan (1.08) and Armenia (0.47) (CEPEJ, 2024[34]; CEPEJ, 2025[70]).

← 2.  In 2025, interregional centres processed 225 requests for legal assistance concerning children and 217 cases related to participation in restorative justice programmes involving minors. That same year, 287 minors reportedly participated in restorative mediation processes (CCLAP, 2026[45]).

← 3.  As of August 2025, a significant number of Ukrainian cases remained under enhanced supervision by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, including cases concerning unlawful arrests, excessive pre-trial detention, ill-treatment, poor detention conditions and excessive length of proceedings. These issues point to continuing structural challenges affecting the judiciary, law enforcement and protection of fundamental rights.

← 4.  Key policies implemented in recent years include: National Human Rights Strategy (approved by the decree of the President of Ukraine of 24.03.2021 No. 119/2021), aiming to increase awareness of rights through information campaigns and targeted manuals, especially among groups with vulnerabilities; State Targeted Social Program "Youth of Ukraine" (2021-2025) (approved by CMU Order No. 579 of 2021) and State Targeted Social Program (“Youth of Ukraine”) (2026-2030) (approved by the order of the CMU of 02.01.2026 No. 20), which focus on educating young people about legal rights; Internal Displacement Strategy (2023-2025) (approved by the order of the CMU of 07.04.2023 No. 312-r), which provides legal awareness for IDPs on housing, social benefits and legal aid; Veteran Policy Strategy (2024-2030) (approved by the order of the CMU of 29.11.2024 No. 1209-r), which ensures veterans are informed about legal support and benefits; and Roma Rights Strategy (2021-2030) (approved by the order of the CMU of 28.07.2021 No. 866-r), which focuses on increasing legal access for Roma communities.