XIV UBA Judicial Forum: Key Challenges, Expert Discussions and Strategic Directions for the Justice Sector
On 27–28 November 2025, the Ukrainian Bar Association held the XIV Judicial Forum, which served as a central platform for discussing the key challenges and emerging trends affecting the justice sector. LCF Law Group acted as the Forum’s General Partner.
The event brought together a professional audience that included judges, attorneys, academics, representatives of judicial governance bodies, legislators and international institutions. Participants examined how the justice system is evolving under wartime conditions, regulatory instability and the broader transformation of legal infrastructure.
Day One. Practical Challenges and Systemic Issues
The discussions on the first day focused on issues legal practitioners encounter in their day-to-day work. The key topics included:
- inconsistency in judicial practice and the absence of predictability in court decisions
- increasing caseloads and staffing shortages in key jurisdictions
- the need for effective digital tools and unified approaches to their implementation
- gaps in procedural rules that create conflicting interpretations
- uncertainty in the interaction between courts, attorneys, state authorities and other participants in proceedings
The key panel of the day, “Ensuring the Supreme Court’s Role in the Cohesion of Judicial Practice: Disputed Aspects and Points of Tension” was moderated by Iryna Kobets, Partner and Head of the Dispute Resolution Practice at LCF Law Group. The panel examined the lack of unified approaches to interpreting legal norms, complex cases involving procedural balance and situations in which courts of different instances adopt divergent approaches to similar legal relationships. Particular attention was paid to the methodology for developing legal positions and to mechanisms capable of ensuring consistency amid ongoing legislative changes.
The discussion underscored that achieving coherence in judicial practice requires not only decisions of the Supreme Court but also system-level analytical tools and coordinated procedures for courts of lower instances.
Day Two. European Integration and the Impact of Reforms on the Justice System
The second day of the Forum opened with welcoming remarks from Anna Ogrenchuk, the Forum’s Programme Coordinator and Managing Partner of LCF Law Group, followed by her moderation of the session titled “European Integration Processes in the Justice Sector.” She outlined the main directions of the discussion and emphasized that the implementation of EU standards requires institutional preparedness, coordinated decision-making and clear inter-agency interaction.
The session focused on:
- risks associated with fragmented legislative initiatives
- technical and staffing capacity of the judicial system
- the need for harmonisation of procedures across institutions
- safeguarding institutional independence and compliance with European standards
- adapting procedural legislation to the realities of wartime
The discussion highlighted that the justice reform planned for 2025–2026 may create significant opportunities for the system while also increasing the risks of procedural conflicts and a rise in the number of disputes. The speakers stressed that the pace of reform must be balanced and aligned with the actual capabilities of the courts.
LCF Law Group as General Partner
LCF Law Group has supported the Judicial Forum as its General Partner for many years. For the firm, this partnership represents both a long-standing commitment and a practical contribution to strengthening the professional community, improving the quality of the legal environment and fostering dialogue among key institutions within the justice system.
Forum Highlights
The XIV Judicial Forum provided a focused platform for discussing the challenges that constrain the justice system and the tools that may help ensure greater stability, efficiency and compliance with modern standards. Participants emphasised the need for systemic, long-term solutions, strengthened institutional capacity, coordinated legislative developments and improved quality of legal reasoning.
We express our gratitude to the Ukrainian Bar Association and all partners for their organisation and support. We look forward to joining the Forum again next year.
Other news
