Ukrainian and Czech Constitutional Courts Hold Talks on Judicial Ethics and EU Law

Expert Meetings Between Judges of the Ukrainian and Czech Constitutional Courts

According to Конституційний суд: On February 17-18, 2026, a series of expert meetings took place between judges from the Constitutional Court of Ukraine and the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic. The discussions centered on critical topics including judicial ethics, disciplinary accountability, the methodology for drafting court rulings, and the incorporation of European Union legislation into legal practice. This event was organized as part of the OSCE Support Program for Ukraine, which aims to strengthen constitutional justice. Such bilateral exchanges are vital for Ukraine's ongoing judicial reform and its European integration efforts.

The Ukrainian delegation included:

• Acting Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine Oleksandr Petryshyn,
• Judges Oleksandr Vodianykov,
• Oksana Hryshchuk,
• Viktor Kychun,
• Vasyl Lemak,
• Alla Oliinyk,
• Halyna Yurovska.

Participating from the Czech side were:

• President of the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic Josef Baxa,
• Vice-Presidents of the Court Veronika Krěstánová and Kateřina Ronovská,
• Judges Michal Bartoň, Jan Wintr, Daniela Zemanová, Lucie Dolanská Banájová, Zdeněk Kůn, and Jan Svatoň.

Key Discussion Topics

The primary subjects addressed during the meetings included:

• The practical application of rules governing judicial professional ethics,
• Procedures for disciplinary responsibility and the recusal (or self-recusal) of judges,
• Methodologies for preparing court acts and approaches to considering EU legislation within case law.

Judges also exchanged views on the organizational structure of the courts, internal coordination between judges and the Court Secretariat, research methodologies in constitutional proceedings, and the structuring of argumentation in decisions.

During the event, the Ukrainian Constitutional Court judges held a separate meeting with the Consul of Ukraine in Brno, Hanna Proshko, which furthered the development of international ties and the exchange of expertise in constitutional justice.

This event, organized with OSCE support, underscores the importance of international cooperation in the field of justice and the exchange of experience between nations.

Meetings of this nature between judges from the two countries can positively influence the improvement of Ukraine's judicial system by facilitating the integration of European standards into national practice. Such dialogues also contribute to strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law in Ukraine.