Legislative Instruments to Ensure the Legal System Functioning in Wartime: The Case of Ukraine

The proper functioning of the legal system is critically important even in times of war. Guaranteeing and protecting fundamental human rights requires clear and extraordinary decisions. Ukraine is currently demonstrating military courage and prowess. Public administration and the legal system in general are experiencing equally big challenges. Even in the conditions of active hostilities, occupation of part of the territory and daily threats of missile attacks, the Parliament and the Government use legislative instruments to balance the legal system. As a result, central and local public authorities continue to operate; budgetary payments and social protection of the population are guaranteed; business activities have undergone significant changes but still function; all courts in the territories controlled by the Ukrainian Government continue their work. To overcome the challenges of war, legislative regulation changes quite quickly. Such legislative amendments are very often exceptional and they are mainly aimed at a short-term effect. During the seminar, the main legislative instruments actively used for the preservation and functioning of the legal system in Ukraine will be presented and discussed. More generally, the Ukrainian experience provides a good case for reconsidering the principles for legal systems functioning in extraordinary situations.

A sandwich lunch will be available from 12.30 in the area outside the IECL.