Members of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine, Lіudmyla Volkova and Roman Kydysiuk, were on a study visit to Paris, France, from April 13 to 15, 2026, during which they visited the French judicial authorities.
The event was organised with the support of the EU Project “Pravo-Justice” with the aim of studying and implementing standards of the rule of law and best practices in the field of justice in EU countries.
The Ukrainian delegation included, in particular, Ihor Dashutin, Head of the Administrative Cassation Court of the Supreme Court; and Vitalii Urkevych and Nataliia Bilyk, Supreme Court judges; Oksana Kvasha, Deputy Chair of the High Council of Justice; and Yuliia Bokova and Olena Kovbii, High Council of Justice members; Leonid Sapelnikov, Deputy Head of the State Judicial Administration of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalisation, as well as experts from the EU Project “Pravo-Justice” led by Team Leader Oksana Tsymbrivska.
The visit began with a familiarisation session on the work of the French Court of Cassation (la Cour de cassation). The meeting focused on the role of the Court of Cassation in unifying and overseeing the application of legislation, and on a strategy aimed at strengthening public confidence in the judiciary (publication of press releases, translation of judgments, recording and broadcasting of court hearings).
During their visit to the Superior Council of Magistracy (Conseil supérieur de la magistrature), the French delegation provided information on the specific features of the procedures carried out by the Council, the mechanisms for ensuring judicial independence and autonomy, and the factors influencing these. The delegation had the opportunity to familiarise itself with the procedural nuances of disciplinary proceedings against judges and the appointment of judges.
The Ukrainian delegation was also briefed on the powers of the State Council (Conseil d'État) – the highest body of administrative justice and, at the same time, an advisory body to the French government: the specific categories of cases considered by the Council, how the uniformity of judicial practice is ensured, how advisory opinions for the government are formulated, and etc.
Issues relating to the modernisation of the courts were discussed during a visit to the Directorate of Judicial Services (la Direction des services judiciaires) of the Ministry of Justice of France.
At the end of the event, the Ukrainian delegation visited the National School for the Judiciary (École nationale de la magistrature), as the European experience of competitive selection of judges, training methods and the School’s model for initial and continuing training are highly relevant to Ukraine in the context of European integration.
For reference: The Superior Council of Magistracy (Conseil supérieur de la magistrature) – a constitutional body in France which guarantees the independence of the judiciary, participates in the appointment of judges and prosecutors, and also deals with matters of disciplinary responsibility. The Council plays a key role in ensuring the impartiality and integrity of the judiciary in accordance with the principle of judicial independence.
