Constitutional and Supreme Court Judges Discuss the Need for Uniform Legal Application

How Legal Positions of the Constitutional Court Shape Jurisdictional Practice

According to Конституційний суд: A roundtable discussion held in Ukraine on June 12–13, 2026, brought together judges from the Constitutional Court of Ukraine (CCU) and the Supreme Court, alongside representatives from the Council of Europe. The event, titled 'Legal Positions of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine and Their Importance for Jurisdictional Practice,' centered on how the Court's rulings influence the consistent application of law and the development of judicial practice. Key topics included the role of the CCU's legal positions in interpreting and applying the Ukrainian Constitution, their impact on the broader judiciary, and the pursuit of legal uniformity, coherence, legal certainty, judicial independence, and the rule of law. This dialogue reflects ongoing efforts to align Ukraine's judicial system with European standards.

CCU judges Oleksandr Vodiannikov, Oksana Hryshchuk, Viktor Kychun, Vasyl Lemak, Alla Oliinyk, Serhii Riznyk, and Halyna Yurovska actively participated in the discussions, stressing the significance of the Court's legal positions for jurisdictional practice. The event was moderated by CCU judge Oksana Hryshchuk, Council of Europe Project Manager Susanna Mnatsakanyan (who leads the 'Further Support to Constitutional Justice Reforms in Ukraine' project), and Supreme Court Administrative Cassation Court judge Nataliia Blazhivska.

Welcome addresses were delivered by:

• Oksana Hryshchuk, CCU Judge
• Ihor Dashutin, Head of the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court
• Susanna Mnatsakanyan, Council of Europe Project Manager

CCU judge Vasyl Lemak presented a report on the methodology behind the CCU's reasoning, highlighting its importance for shaping legal application. Special attention was given to the interplay between the Constitutional Court's legal positions and the practice of the Supreme Court.

CCU judge Halyna Yurovska delivered a report titled 'Legal Positions of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights in the Decisions of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine.' The professional dialogue during the roundtable demonstrated that the stability of judicial practice largely depends on the ability of courts to operate within a unified constitutional framework.

The event was supported by the Council of Europe project 'Further Support to Constitutional Justice Reforms in Ukraine,' implemented under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine 2023–2026. This initiative underscores the growing importance of integrating European standards into Ukraine's legal application, especially as the country advances constitutional justice reforms aimed at enhancing judicial effectiveness and ensuring legal certainty.

As the discussion on legal uniformity continues, the recent roundtable on criminal justice reforms highlights the urgent need for cohesive legal frameworks in Ukraine. This parallel event emphasizes how various aspects of judicial reform are interconnected, shaping not only constitutional interpretations but also the broader landscape of the justice system.