The role of international support in strengthening the resilience of the judiciary: Vice President of the Supreme Court joins presentation of the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine

The OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine systematically provides professional practical assistance, thanks to which the judiciary of Ukraine has not only withstood the outbreak of a full-scale war and continues to function, but has also adapted to the new reality, transformed and strengthened its institutional resilience.

This was stated by Vice President of the Supreme Court Oleksandr Mamalui during a meeting dedicated to the presentation of the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine, launched in November 2022. "The enemy is waging a war of destruction against us, but thanks to initiatives such as the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine, we not only preserve the functioning of justice, but also ensure its development," the Vice President of the Supreme Court stressed.

According to Oleksandr Mamalui, the cooperation between the Supreme Court and the OSCE was not a declarative one, but filled with real content. The two organisations held 33 events together, including support for the Supreme Observer online platform, the launch of the Supreme Court Podcast project, and the creation of software for automatic data systematisation. In addition, a number of initiatives were implemented to facilitate dialogue between courts of different instances and jurisdictions across Ukraine.

"These events have become the basis for strengthening the unity of case law and developing a common approach to law enforcement. Thanks to the participation of judges, scholars, and international experts, we have a platform for in-depth analysis of complex legal issues arising during the war," he said.

The Vice President of the Supreme Court also drew attention to the Summer Academy of International Law held in 2022. It is through such educational projects, he said, that the foundation is laid for the formation of a new generation of lawyers who share the principles of the rule of law and justice.

Oleksandr Mamalui thanked all his OSCE colleagues for their fruitful and effective cooperation and efficient support of the Ukrainian judiciary and noted that justice can only exist where there is an independent state: "If there is a country, there will be justice and the rule of law".

The meeting demonstrated the readiness of the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine to continue to deliver sustainable results in line with Ukraine's current needs.