Kyiv, 19 September 2025 — The VI Judicial Forum “The Judiciary After War: Challenges, Solutions, and Paths to Development” took place in Kyiv, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine with financial support from the Government of Denmark. The event brought together representatives of the judicial, legislative, and executive branches of government, alongside international partners, to examine the effective functioning of the judiciary during wartime and in the post-war period. The forum forms part of an annual series of professional dialogues aimed at identifying priorities and prospects for the development of justice in Ukraine.

The growing demand for restoring rights violated by the war underscores the need for such discussions. Key challenges include the loss of housing and property, the need for social protection for veterans and their families, and the handling of cases connected with the temporary occupation of territories. Participants stressed that the judiciary must continue to ensure access to justice even under conditions of limited resources and increased caseloads.

Debates at the forum focused on three principal areas. The first concerned staffing and the logistical needs of courts, including security for staff and visitors. The second centred on protecting the rights of veterans, their families, and residents of temporarily occupied territories, including compensation for damages and the provision of social guarantees. The third addressed the handling of war and military crimes, the potential establishment of specialized courts or judicial specialization, and closer cooperation with international institutions.

Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Denmark to Ukraine Lars Olaf Søvndahl Petersen emphasized that Denmark is among the largest supporters of Ukraine, noting that the country has committed €10 billion in support since the start of the full-scale invasion. He stressed that reforms, good governance, and the rule of law are essential for Ukraine’s path toward EU accession. “There would be no EU accession without judges,” he said. “It will be a long and difficult road to ensure the reforms required under the Copenhagen criteria, but your role in this process is central. We deeply admire the work you continue to do under such difficult circumstances, and we stand with you as partners and friends.”

UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Auke Lootsma emphasized that supporting the judiciary was a vital part of UNDP’s mission. “This isn’t just about providing immediate help to solve current problems; it’s a long-term investment in the post-war development of the judicial system,” he said. “That’s why we're promoting professional dialogue across all levels of the judiciary and supporting the courts’ institutional capacity through a wide range of programmes.”

Stanislav Kravchenko, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ukraine, Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, and Maksym Pampura, Acting Head of the State Judicial Administration of Ukraine, also attended the forum.

Media enquiries:

Yuliia Samus, Head of Communications, UNDP in Ukraine,  yuliia.samus@undp.org