Over 15,000 Amendments Filed for Ukraine's New Civil Code

Debate Surrounding Ukraine's New Civil Code

According to Главком: Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk has announced that 15,328 amendments have been submitted to the draft of the country's new Civil Code, a document comprising nearly 2,000 articles. On April 28, the Verkhovna Rada approved the bill (No. 15150) in its first reading, with 254 lawmakers voting in favor.

While the sheer volume of amendments may seem daunting, Stefanchuk noted that mathematically, this translates to just seven or eight amendments per article-a manageable workload. He stressed the importance of refining the draft, stating:

“We will work. We will find a compromise. We are committed to jointly improving the text of the bill.”

Public Reaction

Beyond the parliamentary process, a petition against the new Civil Code on the Ukrainian president's website garnered over 25,000 signatures within 24 hours. Viktor Prorok, a judge and spokesperson for the Civil Cassation Court within the Supreme Court, warned that the new code could trigger decades of legal uncertainty.

As a result, the debate over Ukraine's new Civil Code continues to spark intense discussions among lawmakers and the public alike.

This situation highlights how legislative reform in Ukraine can be a complex and prolonged process, particularly when it involves a foundational legal document like the Civil Code. On one hand, the high number of amendments suggests active parliamentary engagement in improving the bill; on the other, the strong protest vote reflects public anxiety over potential shifts in the legal landscape. This underscores the need for transparent dialogue between legislators and citizens to forge a compromise that satisfies all stakeholders.

As the discussions around the new Civil Code intensify, the public's response has been equally vigorous. A significant backlash against the proposed legislation has emerged, with more than 25,000 signatures collected in just one day. This growing opposition highlights the urgent need for lawmakers to address citizens' concerns and ensure that any reforms reflect the will of the people.