OBSERVARE

Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3

Thematic Dossier

Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional

Transformation in Times of Global and National Challenges

March 2026

JUDICIAL REFORM AS A FACTOR IN INCREASING PUBLIC TRUST IN JUSTICE

SERHII KRUSHYNSKYI

decan_uf@univer.km.ua

PhD (Law Sci.), Professor, Head of the Department of Criminal Law and Procedure

Leonid Yuzkov Khmelnytskyi University of Management and Law

Khmelnytskyi (Ukraine) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1583-226X

MYKOLA VAVRYNCHUK

avrynchukm@khmnu.edu.ua

PhD (Рolitical Sciences), Docent, Head of the Department of Law Khmelnytskyi National

University Khmelnytskyi (Ukraine) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8401-5562

OLHA KOHUT

kohutOl@khmnu.edu.ua

PhD (Law Sci.), Docent, Department of Law Khmelnytskyi National University

Khmelnytskyi (Ukraine) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9164-5477

SERHII MANDZII

mandzii.s@ukr.net

PhD (Law Sci.), Senior Lecturer Department of Law

Khmelnytskyi National University

Khmelnytskyi, (Ukraine)

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6068-7292

SVITLANA LOGINOVA

lohinovasv@khmnu.edu.ua

PhD (Law Sci.), Senior Lecturer of the Department of Law Khmelnytskyi National University

Khmelnytskyi (Ukraine) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7413-9556

Abstract

The article examines the stages of development of the judicial system of Ukraine in 2010-

2024 in the context of institutional reforms, digital transformation and procedural

modernization. The dynamics of key indicators of the efficiency of judicial proceedings are

analyzed – the level of funding, staffing, average duration of case consideration, the share of

electronic proceedings and rule of law indices. Based on a comparative analysis of data from

Ukraine and the countries of the European Union (Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania), the

main trends that determine structural changes in the sphere of justice are identified.The

results of the study show that during the period under study, there was a significant reduction

in the duration of case consideration (by 22%), an increase in the completion rate to 0.91, as

well as the active implementation of digital technologies – in particular, the "Electronic Court"

system, which ensured the submission of more than 35% of claims in electronic form. At the

same time, there is a shortage of judicial personnel (more than 28% of vacant positions) and

an insufficient level of financing of the judiciary (0.38% of GDP), which limits the sustainability

of reforms.The paper proves that the digitalization of the judicial system is a key factor in

increasing its efficiency, transparency and citizens' trust in the judiciary. Strengthening the

institutional independence of judges, ensuring financial autonomy and forming professional

integrity are identified as the main conditions for the further development of justice in Ukraine

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3

Thematic Dossier - Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional

Transformation in Times of Global and National Challenges

March 2026, pp. 49-65

Judicial reform as a factor in increasing public trust in justice

Serhii Krushynskyi, Mykola Vavrynchuk, Olha Kohut, Serhii Mandzii, Svitlana Loginova

in accordance with European standards of the rule of law.The methodological basis of the

study is the principles of systemic, comparative and statistical analysis. The work uses official

data from international organizations and the State Judicial Administration of Ukraine. The

results obtained have practical significance for developing strategies for reforming the

judiciary, optimizing funding and improving e-justice.

Keywords

Judicial system, rule of law, digitalization of justice, judicial reform, efficiency of judicial

proceedings, trust in the judiciary.

Resumo

O artigo examina as etapas de desenvolvimento do sistema judicial da Ucrânia em 2010-2024

no contexto das reformas institucionais, da transformação digital e da modernização

processual. É analisada a dinâmica dos principais indicadores da eficiência dos processos

judiciais – o nível de financiamento, o quadro de pessoal, a duração média da apreciação dos

processos, a percentagem de processos eletrónicos e os índices do Estado de direito. Com

base numa análise comparativa dos dados da Ucrânia e dos países da União Europeia (Polónia,

República Checa, Roménia), são identificadas as principais tendências que determinam as

mudanças estruturais na esfera da justiça. Os resultados do estudo mostram que, durante o

período em análise, houve uma redução significativa na duração da apreciação dos processos

(em 22%), um aumento na taxa de conclusão para 0,91, bem como a implementação ativa

de tecnologias digitais – em particular, o sistema «Tribunal Eletrónico», que garantiu a

apresentação de mais de 35% das reclamações em formato eletrónico. Ao mesmo tempo, há

uma escassez de pessoal judicial (mais de 28% dos cargos vagos) e um nível insuficiente de

financiamento do poder judicial (0,38% do PIB), o que limita a sustentabilidade das reformas.

O artigo prova que a digitalização do sistema judicial é um fator-chave para aumentar a sua

eficiência, transparência e confiança dos cidadãos no poder judicial. O reforço da

independência institucional dos juízes, a garantia da autonomia financeira e a formação da

integridade profissional são identificados como as principais condições para o

desenvolvimento da justiça na Ucrânia, de acordo com os padrões europeus do Estado de

direito. A base metodológica do estudo são os princípios da análise sistémica, comparativa e

estatística. O trabalho utiliza dados oficiais de organizações internacionais e da Administração

Judicial do Estado da Ucrânia. Os resultados obtidos têm significado prático para o

desenvolvimento de estratégias de reforma do poder judicial, otimização do financiamento e

melhoria da justiça eletrónica.

Palavras-chave

Sistema judicial, Estado de direito, digitalização da justiça, reforma judicial, eficiência dos

processos judiciais, confiança no poder judicial.

How to cite this article

Krushynskyi, Serhii, Vavrynchuk, Mykola, Kohut, Olha, Mandzii, Serhii & Loginova Svitlana (2026).

Judicial reform as a factor in increasing public trust in justice. Janus.net, e-journal of international

relations. Thematic Dossier - Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional Transformation in Times

of Global and National Challenges, VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3, March 2026, pp. 49-65.

https://doi.org/10.26619/1647-7251.DT0226.3

Article submitted on 10 December 2025 and accepted for publication on 14 January

2026.

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3

Thematic Dossier - Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional

Transformation in Times of Global and National Challenges

March 2026, pp. 49-65

Judicial reform as a factor in increasing public trust in justice

Serhii Krushynskyi, Mykola Vavrynchuk, Olha Kohut, Serhii Mandzii, Svitlana Loginova

JUDICIAL REFORM AS A FACTOR IN INCREASING PUBLIC TRUST

IN JUSTICE

SERHII KRUSHYNSKYI

MYKOLA VAVRYNCHUK

OLHA KOHUT

SERHII MANDZII

SVITLANA LOGINOVA

Introduction

In modern democratic states, the judiciary is one of the main institutions for ensuring

the rule of law, protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens, and maintaining the

stability of public administration. The effectiveness of the functioning of the judicial

system determines the level of legitimacy of the state, since it is through the mechanisms

of justice that the social need for justice, equality before the law, and accountability of

government to citizens is realized.

In Ukraine, the problem of trust in the judiciary remains one of the most urgent and at

the same time the most complex. Since 2014, judicial reform has become a strategic

priority of state policy, which is confirmed by the adoption of a number of regulatory

legal acts: the Law of Ukraine “On the Judiciary and the Status of Judges” (Verkhovna

Rada of Ukraine, 2016), amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine regarding justice,

the creation of the High Council of Justice, the High Qualification Commission of Judges

and the High Anti-Corruption Court. These steps were aimed at ensuring the

independence of the judiciary, increasing its transparency and strengthening the

responsibility of the judiciary.

However, as evidenced by the official analytical reports of the Consultative Council of

European Judges (2024) and the Basel Institute on Governance (2024), Ukraine still faces

a number of institutional challenges. According to the report by CEPEJ (2024), indicators

of trust in the judiciary in Ukraine remain lower than in most European Union countries.

For comparison: the average level of public trust in courts in EU countries exceeds 50%,

while in Ukraine this indicator fluctuates within 25-30%. This lag is explained not only by

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3

Thematic Dossier - Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional

Transformation in Times of Global and National Challenges

March 2026, pp. 49-65

Judicial reform as a factor in increasing public trust in justice

Serhii Krushynskyi, Mykola Vavrynchuk, Olha Kohut, Serhii Mandzii, Svitlana Loginova

historical distrust of state institutions, but also by insufficient transparency of judicial

procedures, the duration of court proceedings and the low level of communication

between the judicial system and society.

The problem of trust in justice is complex. It encompasses not only organizational and

legal aspects, but also socio-psychological factors, in particular the perception of the

court as an impartial and effective arbiter. In this context, judicial reform should be

considered not as a separate legislative or administrative measure, but as a systemic

policy of modernization of the entire institutional architecture of justice – from personnel

selection to mechanisms of accountability and control.

International standards play an important role in shaping a positive image of the

judiciary. The documents of the Council of Europe, the Organization for Economic

Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Venice Commission have repeatedly

emphasized that judicial independence is a basic condition for economic development

and citizens' trust in the state. According to analytical data from the World Bank (2024),

countries with high indicators of judicial independence demonstrate more stable GDP

growth, lower levels of corruption, and higher investment attractiveness.

In this context, scientific substantiation of judicial reform is necessary as a key factor in

increasing public trust in justice through the analysis of official statistical and

international data.

Literature Review

The issue of judicial reform, its impact on the efficiency of justice and the level of public

trust in judicial institutions is a subject of constant attention of both domestic and foreign

scholars. Research in this area covers theoretical and legal, institutional, socio-economic

and managerial aspects of judicial reform.

One of the key areas of modern scientific discussions is the identification of institutional

factors of trust in justice. According to the conclusions of experts from OECD (2024;

2025),trust in the courts is formed primarily through the stability of the legal

environment, the independence of judges, the effectiveness of disciplinary procedures

and the transparency of appointments to the judicial system. The OECD emphasizes that

in countries with high rule of law indicators (e.g. the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland),

the stability of the judicial system is directly correlated with citizens' trust in the state

and the level of economic development.

According to analytical reports of CEPEJ (2024) and Kalliris and Alysandratos (2023), the

main indicators of the efficiency of the judiciary are the duration of court proceedings,

the workload on judges, the level of automation of processes, the financing of the judicial

system and independence from political influence. Comparative analysis of data shows

that in Central and Eastern European countries that have successfully implemented

judicial reforms (Estonia, Lithuania, Poland by 2016), the indicator of trust in courts

increased by 15-20 percentage points after the introduction of e-justice mechanisms and

open access to court decisions.

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3

Thematic Dossier - Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional

Transformation in Times of Global and National Challenges

March 2026, pp. 49-65

Judicial reform as a factor in increasing public trust in justice

Serhii Krushynskyi, Mykola Vavrynchuk, Olha Kohut, Serhii Mandzii, Svitlana Loginova

The issue of the relationship between the institutional independence of the courts and

economic development has been studied in the works of the World Bank within the

framework of the Worldwide Governance Indicators (World Bank, 2024). The reports

emphasize that countries with high indices of rule of law and control of corruption

demonstrate more stable growth of gross domestic product (GDP) and higher level of

investment attractiveness. Thus, judicial independence and transparency of judicial

procedures are recognized as critical prerequisites for economic stability and democratic

development.

In the works of Venice Commission (n.d.) emphasized that effective judicial reform

requires a balanced model of judicial governance – with a clear division of powers

between the High Council of Justice, the parliament and the executive branch. The

Commission has repeatedly drawn Ukraine's attention to the need to ensure transparency

in the selection of judges, create an effective integrity verification mechanism and

introduce clear criteria for the career growth of judges.

In Ukrainian scientific literature, the issues of judicial reform are studied in the context

of ensuring the rule of law, combating corruption, and increasing the efficiency of justice.

In particular, in the works of Lashyn et al. (2023), Zabokrytskyy (2020), Teremetskyi et

al. (2023), Yara andSologub(2024): KrushynskyiandDankova (2022) and Zhukevych et

al. (2025) examine the problems of personnel renewal of the judicial system,

transparency of disciplinary procedures and interaction of the judiciary with civil society.

In the works of Kryvytskyi (2024), Sereda et al. (2024) and Pomaza-Ponomarenko et al.

(2024) emphasized that a sustainable increase in trust is possible only with the

systematic digitalization of judicial processes and public monitoring of judges' decisions.

Some attention in modern research has also been paid to the digital transformation of

the judiciary. According to the CEPEJ (2021), European Union (2025), Krushynskyi

(2025) and Fabri (2023) electronic justice services (e-Court, e-Filing, online broadcasts

of hearings) significantly reduce the level of distrust of citizens, as they ensure the

openness of processes, accessibility of information and reduce the duration of case

consideration. These conclusions confirm the practical feasibility of implementing an

electronic court in Ukraine, which is gradually covering all regions since 2020. Thus, the

analysis of scientific and official sources allows us to conclude that judicial reform has a

comprehensive impact on citizens' trust in justice. It is not limited to regulatory changes,

but covers organizational, technological and ethical aspects of the activities of courts. A

high level of public trust is formed only under the conditions of a combination of the

independence of the judiciary, the transparency of its procedures and effective

communication with citizens, which is confirmed by both European and world experience.

Materials and Methods

The methodological basis of the study is a systemic, institutional, and comparative-

analytical approaches that allow us to identify the patterns of the impact of judicial reform

on the level of public trust in justice in Ukraine in the context of European standards.

The work used exclusively official statistical sources and analytical reports of international

organizations, in particular:

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3

Thematic Dossier - Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional

Transformation in Times of Global and National Challenges

March 2026, pp. 49-65

Judicial reform as a factor in increasing public trust in justice

Serhii Krushynskyi, Mykola Vavrynchuk, Olha Kohut, Serhii Mandzii, Svitlana Loginova

- CEPEJ (2024). Analytical reports 2016-2024, containing data on the financing of the

judicial system, the number of judges, the average duration of case consideration, the

level of automation and openness of justice in European countries;

- World Bank (2024). Rule of law and corruption control indicators used to assess the

effectiveness of legal institutions in international comparison;

- OECD (2025). Official statistics on the effectiveness of public administration, judicial

independence and access to justice in the OECD countries D;

- State Judicial Administration of Ukraine (2024). Data on the financing of the judiciary,

the workload on judges, the number of cases considered, the duration of proceedings

and the digitalization of judicial processes (2016-2024);

- High Council of Justice of Ukraine (2024).Report of the State Judicial Administration of

Ukraine (2024).

To assess trends in the field of justice, a comparative analysis of the main statistical

indicators of Ukraine and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (Poland, Lithuania,

Romania, Czech Republic), which have similar conditions of legal modernization, was

conducted. This allows us to determine the dynamics of changes and position Ukraine in

the European context.

Research methods include:

1. Comparative legal analysis, which was applied to study the content of judicial reforms

in various EU countries, their regulatory framework and implementation results.

2. Statistical analysis aimed at processing quantitative indicators of justice efficiency –

financing of the judicial system (% of GDP), average duration of case consideration,

number of judges per 100 thousand population, share of electronic proceedings.

3. Trend analysis used to study the dynamics of official European indicators Commission

for the Efficiency of Justice and World Bank for 2010 – 2024.

4. A systemic approach that allows considering judicial reform as a component of the

general policy of public administration aimed at establishing the principle of the rule of

law.

All data were summarized in comparative tables and visualized in the form of graphs to

better reflect the dynamics of changes. Particular attention was paid to the correlation

between institutional indicators and qualitative results of reforms.

Research Results

The development of the judicial system of Ukraine during 2010-2024 is characterized by

a phased reform process, accompanied by changes in the legislative framework, financial

support, staffing structure and the degree of digitalization of justice. The main trends

were formed under the influence of European standards of justice (CEPEJ, Venice

Commission) and internal reforms aimed at increasing the independence of judges and

public trust.

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3

Thematic Dossier - Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional

Transformation in Times of Global and National Challenges

March 2026, pp. 49-65

Judicial reform as a factor in increasing public trust in justice

Serhii Krushynskyi, Mykola Vavrynchuk, Olha Kohut, Serhii Mandzii, Svitlana Loginova

The level of funding for the judiciary is an indicator of the state’s ability to guarantee

effective justice. In 2010, funding amounted to only 0.34% of GDP, which indicated an

insufficient level of support for institutional infrastructure. Starting from 2016, after the

creation of new institutions, such as the High Council of Justice and the Public Integrity

Council, funding for the judicial system increased to 0.48% of GDP (2018). This allowed

for an increase in judges’ salaries, modernization of court premises and partial

implementation of digital services.

However, since 2022, there has been a decrease in funding to 0.38% of GDP due to

military spending, which has negatively affected the stability of staffing and investments

in judicial infrastructure. For comparison, according to CEPEJ (2021), Venice Commission

(n.d.), the average financing of judicial systems in EU countries is 0.41-0.45% of GDP,

i.e., Ukraine remains below the average European level. One of the biggest problems

remains the shortage of judicial personnel. If in 2010 there were about 8300 judges

working in Ukraine, then in 2024 there will be only 5100, while more than 2000 positions

remain vacant. This means that almost 30% of courts are working understaffed, which

leads to excessive workload – more than 500 cases per judge annually (compared to

230-250 in EU countries).

The reason for the staff shortage is the long process of qualification assessment, the

migration of judges in connection with the reform and the low level of public trust, which

makes it difficult to renew the corps. The presence of vacant positions directly affects the

terms of consideration of cases and the overall quality of justice, creating the risk of

overloading judges and reducing motivation. The efficiency of justice is assessed through

the average duration of consideration of cases, the ratio of considered and unconsidered

proceedings, as well as the level of automation of processes. According to the CEPEJ

(2022), Venice Commission (n.d.), the average duration of civil cases in Ukraine

decreased from 268 days in 2010 to 210 days in 2023, indicating an increase in

procedural efficiency by 22%.

Following the introduction of the new version of the procedural codes (the Civil Procedure

Code of Ukraine, the Commercial Procedure Code of Ukraine, and the Code of

Administrative Procedure of Ukraine) in 2017, there was a certain decrease in the number

of pending cases. According to the State Judicial Administration of Ukraine (2024), the

completion rate (the ratio of resolved cases to the total number) increased from 0.82 in

2015 to 0.91 in 2023. This indicator is approaching the level of Central and Eastern

European countries, in particular Poland (0.93) and the Czech Republic (0.94).

However, the problem of uneven workload between courts of different instances remains:

if in local courts it is 450-480 cases per year, then in appellate courts this figure reaches

over 700. Such imbalances indicate the need to optimize the court network and

redistribute the functional workload. A significant achievement in recent years has been

the introduction of the "Electronic Court" system and the expansion of online access to

court decisions. While in 2010, submission of documents was carried out exclusively in

paper form, in 2024 more than 35% of all claims were filed electronically, and 90% of

court decisions are published in an open register.

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3

Thematic Dossier - Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional

Transformation in Times of Global and National Challenges

March 2026, pp. 49-65

Judicial reform as a factor in increasing public trust in justice

Serhii Krushynskyi, Mykola Vavrynchuk, Olha Kohut, Serhii Mandzii, Svitlana Loginova

Table 1. Comparative analysis and trends in judicial system indicators in Ukraine and EU countries

Indicator

Ukraine

2010

Ukraine

2024

Poland

2024

Czech

Republic

2024

Romania

2024

Trend

Court financing,

% of GDP

0.34

0.38

0.43

0.39

0.45

Slight increase,

below EU level

Number of

judges per 100

thousand people

18.7

12.5

25.4

24.6

20.1

Staff reduction

Average duration

of case

consideration,

days

268

210

185

170

190

Gradual reduction

Share of

electronic

proceedings, %

Active

digitalization

Vacancies of

judges, % of

total number

5.2

28.4

4.8

3.1

6.5

Critical load

Source: based on Council of Europe data by CEPEJ (2022, 2024), OECD (2025), European Union

(2025) and Basel Institute on Governance (2024).

The growth of digitalization contributes to reducing corruption risks, reducing waiting

times and increasing the transparency of judicial procedures. For comparison: in Poland

the share of electronic proceedings is 38%, in the Czech Republic – 45%, in Romania –

33%. Thus, Ukraine is approaching the average level of digital integration of EU

countries, although the pace of development depends on stable funding and technical

support.

The data shows that positive dynamics are observed primarily in the digitalization of

judicial proceedings and the reduction of case processing times, while staff shortages

and limited funding remain key barriers to the stability of the system. Compared to EU

countries, Ukraine demonstrates a similar pace of procedural changes, but does not reach

the level of structural balance and staffing.

Thus, the period 2010-2024 can be characterized as a stage of forming the foundations

of an independent, digitalized, but still institutionally vulnerable judicial system. Gradual

positive changes in financing, duration of case consideration and transparency of

processes create the basis for increasing public trust, but achieving stability requires staff

renewal, sustainable funding and completion of reforms of the institutional governance

of the judiciary.

The concept of trust in the judiciary is one of the key indicators of a country's democratic

maturity. According to international research, the level of trust in the judicial system is

directly correlated with the indices of the rule of law, judicial independence and control

of corruption, which are measured by the World Bank. Bank, OECD and Transparency

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3

Thematic Dossier - Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional

Transformation in Times of Global and National Challenges

March 2026, pp. 49-65

Judicial reform as a factor in increasing public trust in justice

Serhii Krushynskyi, Mykola Vavrynchuk, Olha Kohut, Serhii Mandzii, Svitlana Loginova

International. According to World Bank (2024), Ukraine is gradually improving its position

in the Rule ranking of Law Index: in 2010 the indicator was 0.33; in 2015 – 0.39; in 2023

– 0.46 (on a scale from 0 to 1). This indicates a 40% strengthening of the rule of law

over the past 13 years. For comparison, in 2023 Poland had an indicator of 0.74, the

Czech Republic – 0.78, Romania – 0.67, i.e., Ukraine is still at the stage of forming stable

legal institutions.

The gradual growth of the index is associated with key reforms:

2016: creation of the High Council of Justice, responsible for personnel policy and

disciplinary procedures;

2017: adoption of a new version of procedural codes, which standardized the procedure

for considering cases and introduced the principle of “reasonable time”;

2020 – 2023: implementation of electronic justice and open registers of court decisions.

In parallel, according to OECD (2025), Ukraine increased its Judicial Independence from

41 points in 2015 to 49 points in 2023 (on a scale of 0 – 100). This indicates a moderate

but steady strengthening of the independence of the judiciary, especially in the area of

personnel decisions and financial autonomy of the courts.

One of the determining factors of public trust is the ability of the courts to ensure fairness

and impartiality. According to the analytical report by GRECO (2024), Ukraine has

implemented over 65 % of the recommendations on preventing corruption in the judicial

system, which is significantly higher than in 2016 (less than 30% implementation). The

main achievements relate to the transparency of the selection of judges and disciplinary

liability. An important step was the introduction of the Public Integrity Council, which

participates in the qualification assessment of judges. According to the High Council of

Justice (2024), during 2017-2023, almost 300 candidates were not allowed to be

appointed due to a negative opinion of the council. This contributed to the cleansing of

the judicial corps and increased public trust in the appointment procedures.

At the same time, there is a decrease in the level of corruption perception in the justice

sector. Control Index of Corruption (Worldwide) Governance Indicators, 2023) increased

from 0.26 in 2010 to 0.43 in 2023, reflecting reduced administrative pressure and

increased transparency of funding (Table 2).

Thus, increasing trust in justice in Ukraine is the result of a combination of three factors:

1. Institutional renewal – the creation of new judicial governance bodies that ensured

transparency in the appointment of judges.

2. Procedural modernization – adoption of new versions of procedural codes and

reduction of case processing times.

3. Digitalization – implementation of the “Electronic Court”, online access to decisions

and transparency of disciplinary procedures.

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3

Thematic Dossier - Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional

Transformation in Times of Global and National Challenges

March 2026, pp. 49-65

Judicial reform as a factor in increasing public trust in justice

Serhii Krushynskyi, Mykola Vavrynchuk, Olha Kohut, Serhii Mandzii, Svitlana Loginova

Table 2. Comparative dynamics indices supremacy rights, independence judicial authorities and

control corruption in Ukraine and countries Central Eastern Europe (2010–2023)

Indicator

Ukraine

2010

Ukraine

2024

Poland

2024

Czech

Republic

2023

Romania

2023

Trend

Rule of Law

Index (World

Bank (0–1)

0.33

0.48

0.72

0.79

0.69

Gradual

improvement

Judicial

Independence

(OECD, 0–100)

Strengthening

institutional

independence

Control of

Corruption

(World Bank (0–

0.26

0.45

0.68

0.80

0.66

Reducing

corruption

pressure

Source: compiled from World Bank (2024), OECD (2025), Basel Institute on Governance (2024).

However, despite the positive dynamics, the level of actual public trust in the courts

remains below potential, as public expectations regarding the complete renewal of the

judicial corps and the elimination of corrupt practices are being realized gradually. For a

stable growth of trust, not only a normative but also a value-based renewal of judicial

culture, the formation of professional ethics of judges, accountability and openness are

necessary. The results obtained indicate that judicial reform in Ukraine has a gradual

positive effect on the formation of public trust in justice.

The growth of international indices of the rule of law, judicial independence, and

corruption control is objective evidence of institutional progress. At the same time,

incomplete personnel procedures, uneven digital integration of courts, and insufficient

financial autonomy leave risks that could slow down the dynamics of change.

Thus, trust in justice is formed not only through regulatory changes, but also through

the stability of their practical application, which requires a long-term state policy of

supporting the judiciary.

The process of building trust in the judiciary in Ukraine in 2010-2024 is complex and

encompasses three interrelated dimensions: institutional, procedural, and digital(Figure

1).

Each of them plays an independent but complementary role in the formation of a modern

model of justice that meets European standards of the rule of law. The institutional

component determines the management structure and personnel policy of the courts,

the procedural component determines the quality and speed of the administration of

justice, and the digital component determines the openness and transparency of judicial

procedures. Their interaction creates the basis for increasing citizens' trust in the judicial

system, which is one of the key indicators of the democratic maturity of the state.

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3

Thematic Dossier - Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional

Transformation in Times of Global and National Challenges

March 2026, pp. 49-65

Judicial reform as a factor in increasing public trust in justice

Serhii Krushynskyi, Mykola Vavrynchuk, Olha Kohut, Serhii Mandzii, Svitlana Loginova

Figure 1. Structural and functional scheme of building trust in the judiciary of Ukraine

Source: compiled by authors

The proposed structural and functional scheme (Fig. 1) demonstrates that the

development of the judicial system of Ukraine takes place in the format of multi-level

interaction of reforms. Institutional changes ensure the stability and independence of the

judiciary, procedural changes ensure its efficiency, and digital changes ensure openness

and controllability. It is the synergy of these areas that contributes to an increase in the

level of public trust, which is confirmed by the positive dynamics of international indices

– Rule of Law Index, Judicial Independence and Control of Corruption. In the long term,

achieving a high level of trust requires not only technical modernization, but also the

formation of a new professional ethics of judges, accountability to society, and

sustainable financing of the judicial system as a basic element of the rule of law.

The digital transformation of the judicial system of Ukraine during 2010–2024 is

accompanied by a gradual increase in the share of electronic proceedings and a reduction

in the average duration of case consideration. From 2010 to 2024, the share of electronic

BUILDING TRUST IN THE JUDICIARY

INSTITUTIONAL

DIMENSION OF TRUST

DIGITAL MEASUREMENT

OF TRUST

PROCEDURAL DIMENSION

OF TRUST

Establishment of the

High Council of Justice

Formation of the Public

Integrity Council

Disciplinary

responsibility of judges

Updating procedural

codes

Optimization of case

processing times

Standardization of

procedures and

increased transparency

Implementation of the

“Electronic Court”

system

Open registers of court

decisions

Automated case

distribution and online

access

Strengthening the

independence of the

judiciary

Improving the efficiency of

the judicial process

Increased transparency

and reduced corruption

risks

INCREASING PUBLIC TRUST/STRENGTHENING THE RULE OF LAW / INTEGRATION

INTO THE EUROPEAN LEGAL SPACE

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3

Thematic Dossier - Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional

Transformation in Times of Global and National Challenges

March 2026, pp. 49-65

Judicial reform as a factor in increasing public trust in justice

Serhii Krushynskyi, Mykola Vavrynchuk, Olha Kohut, Serhii Mandzii, Svitlana Loginova

claims increased from 0% to 35%, while the average time for case consideration

decreased by 22% – from 268 to 210 days. This trend indicates the effective impact of

digital tools (“Electronic Court”, online registries, automated case distribution) on

increasing the efficiency of judicial proceedings (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Dynamics digitalization judicial systems Ukraine and average duration consideration

cases (2010–2024)

Source: State data Judicial Administration of Ukraine (2024); CEPEJ (2024); Teremetskyi et al.

(2024)

The results obtained confirm that digitalization is one of the key factors in increasing the

efficiency of the judicial system of Ukraine. It not only speeds up the process of

considering cases, but also increases the transparency of procedures, reduces

administrative barriers and contributes to the formation of citizens' trust in the judiciary.

At the same time, the further development of e-justice requires sustainable funding,

unification of technical standards and ensuring cybersecurity of judicial data.

Discussion

The study shows that the judicial system of Ukraine in 2010-2024. went through a

difficult path of structural, procedural and technological transformation. The results

obtained demonstrate that the main driver of increasing the efficiency of justice was

digitalization, which, combined with institutional renewal and procedural reforms,

ensured increased transparency, accountability and public trust in the judiciary.

However, despite the positive dynamics of most indicators (reduction of case processing

times, increase in the share of electronic proceedings, increase in the rule of law index),

structural problems persist – primarily staff shortages and insufficient financial autonomy

of courts. These factors limit the sustainable development of the system and create risks

of slowing down reforms. A comparison with EU countries shows that Ukraine has come

268

250

230

220

215

210

135

203

270

338

2010 2015 2018 2020 2022 2024

Share of electronic

implementations, %

Average duration of case

consideration (days)

Year

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3

Thematic Dossier - Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional

Transformation in Times of Global and National Challenges

March 2026, pp. 49-65

Judicial reform as a factor in increasing public trust in justice

Serhii Krushynskyi, Mykola Vavrynchuk, Olha Kohut, Serhii Mandzii, Svitlana Loginova

close to the average European standards of procedural efficiency, but is significantly

inferior in terms of staffing (by 40-45%) and funding.

The key conclusion is that increased trust in justice is not solely a consequence of

legislative changes – it is formed through the practical sustainability of reforms,

transparency in the selection of judges and digital openness of judicial processes. The

positive correlation between the increase in the share of electronic proceedings and the

reduction in the duration of case consideration indicates that digitalization has a direct

impact on the efficiency of judicial proceedings. This is also confirmed by international

indices: Rule of Law, Judicial Independence and Control of Corruption, which demonstrate

the gradual strengthening of the institutional capacity of the judiciary.

At the same time, maintaining trust requires not only technical development, but also an

ethical renewal of judicial culture. The formation of professional integrity, ensuring stable

funding, improving personnel policy and guarantees of cybersecurity are prerequisites

for the sustainability of reforms. It is also important to ensure an even workload between

courts of different instances, as the imbalance of procedural resources continues to

reduce the quality of justice.

Thus, the modern judicial system of Ukraine is at the stage of transition from institutional

reform to the stage of consolidation of the achieved results. The further effectiveness of

the reforms will be determined by the state's ability to combine institutional stability,

technological innovations and public trust. It is this trinity: independence, efficiency and

openness, that is the basis for the formation of a mature legal state in Ukraine.

Conclusions

The results of the study of the development of the judicial system of Ukraine in 2010-

2024 allow us to note the dynamics of its institutional formation, procedural efficiency,

and digital transformation.

The institutional modernization of the judiciary in the mentioned period took place

gradually and under the influence of both domestic reforms and international standards

(CEPEJ, 2024; Venice Commission, n.d.). The creation of new judicial governance bodies,

such as the High Council of Justice and the Public Integrity Council, has provided greater

transparency and accountability to the system. This has contributed to the gradual

strengthening of judicial independence, as evidenced by the increase in the Judicial

Independence from 41 to 52 points (on the OECD scale).

The financing of the judicial system remained unstable and insufficient during the period

under review. Despite the increase in the indicator from 0.34% of GDP in 2010 to 0.48%

in 2018, the military circumstances of 2022-2024 led to its reduction to 0.38%. This

creates risks for the material support of the courts, the implementation of digitalization

programs and infrastructure renewal. Compared to the average level of court financing

in the EU (0.41-0.45% of GDP), Ukraine is still below the threshold value necessary for

the sustainable functioning of the system.

The shortage of judges remains one of the most acute problems. In 2024, the number

of judges decreased to 5,100 with more than 2,000 vacant positions. This leads to an

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3

Thematic Dossier - Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional

Transformation in Times of Global and National Challenges

March 2026, pp. 49-65

Judicial reform as a factor in increasing public trust in justice

Serhii Krushynskyi, Mykola Vavrynchuk, Olha Kohut, Serhii Mandzii, Svitlana Loginova

excessive workload – more than 500 cases per judge annually, which is almost twice the

average European rate. The reasons are the slow process of qualification assessment,

staff turnover and low public trust. Without systematic staff renewal, the efficiency of the

judiciary will remain limited.

The procedural efficiency of the judicial system shows positive dynamics. The average

duration of civil cases has decreased from 268 to 210 days (by 22%), and the completion

rate has increased from 0.82 to 0.91. These changes indicate an improvement in the

organization of procedural management, but the problem of uneven workload between

courts of different instances remains unresolved.

The digitalization of judicial proceedings has become a key factor in the modernization

of the system. The introduction of the “Electronic Court” system, electronic document

management, and online access to decisions has contributed to increased transparency

and reduced administrative procedures. The share of electronic claims has reached 35%,

which brings Ukraine closer to the average level of digital integration of EU countries (33-

45%). Digital tools have significantly reduced corruption risks and increased trust in

judicial procedures.

The rule of law, judicial independence, and corruption control indices indicate a gradual

strengthening of the institutional capacity of justice. Rule Indicator of Law Index

increased from 0.33 to 0.48, and Control of Corruption – from 0.26 to 0.45. This confirms

that judicial reform has not only a declarative, but also a practical impact on improving

the legal system.

Trust in the judiciary is formed under the influence of three interrelated factors:

- institutional: stability of personnel policy, transparency of the appointment of judges;

- procedural: timeliness and fairness of case consideration;

- digital: openness and accessibility of justice for citizens.

Their interaction determines the level of democratic maturity of the state and the degree

of legitimacy of the judiciary in the eyes of society.

Further development of the judicial system of Ukraine requires a comprehensive

approach that combines technical modernization, personnel renewal, and financial

stability. The following are necessary: unification of technical standards for electronic

justice; increased guarantees of cybersecurity of judicial data; strengthening the

independence of judges in personnel and financial decisions; development of professional

ethics and integrity of the judicial corps.

Thus, the judicial system of Ukraine in 2010-2024 went through the stage of forming a

modern model of justice, based on the principles of independence, efficiency and digital

openness. Despite the preservation of certain structural problems, existing trends

indicate a steady movement towards European standards of justice. Further

strengthening of the institutional capacity of the judiciary is a key condition for the

formation of the rule of law and the trust of citizens – the foundation of a democratic and

legal state.

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations 
e-ISSN: 1647-7251 
VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3 
              Thematic Dossier - Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional  
Transformation in Times of Global and National Challenges 
March 2026, pp. 49-65   
Judicial reform as a factor in increasing public trust in justice 
Serhii Krushynskyi, Mykola Vavrynchuk, Olha Kohut, Serhii Mandzii, Svitlana Loginova 
 
 
 
63 
Reference 
Basel Institute on Governance. (2024, June). Progress in Ukraine’s anti-corruption and 
judicial  reform  efforts.  https://baselgovernance.org/sites/default/files/2024-
06/240610%20Ukraine%20anticorruption%20update_digital.pdf 
Consultative  Council  of  European  Judges.  (2024).  Opinion  No.  27  (2024)  on  the 
disciplinary  liability  of  judges.  Council  of  Europe.  https://www.coe.int/en/web/kyiv/-
/presentation-of-the-opinion-of-the-consultative-council-of-european-judges-and-
warsaw-recommendations-on-the-ukrainian-judiciary 
European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice. (2021). Guidelines on electronic court 
filing (e-filing) and digitalisation of courts. Council of Europe. https://rm.coe.int/e-filing-
en/1680b2ca1c 
European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice. (2022). European judicial systems: 
CEPEJ  evaluation  report  –  2022  evaluation  cycle  (2020  data).  Council  of  Europe. 
https://www.coe.int/en/web/cepej/special-file-report-european-judicial-systems-cepej-
evaluation-report-2022-evaluation-cycle-2020-data- 
European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice. (2024). European judicial systems: 
CEPEJ  evaluation  report  –  2024  evaluation  cycle  (2022  data).  Council  of  Europe. 
https://www.coe.int/en/web/cepej/special-file 
European Union. (2025). European e-Justice Strategy 2024–2028. Official Journal of the 
European  Union,  C/2025/437.  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:C_202500437 
Fabri, M. (2023). From court automation to e-justice and beyond in Europe. International 
Journal for Court Administration, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.36745/ijca.640 
GRECO. (2024). Fourth Round Addendum to the Second Compliance Report on Ukraine. 
Council  of  Europe.  https://www.coe.int/en/web/greco/home/-
/asset_publisher/lxOP5Yph48Zi/content/ukraine-publication-of-the-fourth-round-
addendum-to-the-second-compliance-report 
High  Council  of  Justice  of  Ukraine.  (2024).  Annual  reports  on  judicial  appointments, 
disciplinary proceedings, and staffing statistics (2018–2024). https://hcj.gov.ua/en 
Kalliris, K., &Alysandratos, T. (2023). One judge to rule them all: Single‐member courts 
as an answer to delays in criminal trials. Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, 20(1), 233-
268. https://doi.org/10.1111/jels.12341 
Krushynskyi, S. A. (2025). Application of artificial intelligence technologies in criminal 
proceedings: Realities and prospects. Actual Problems of Jurisprudence, (3)43, 117–122 
https://appj.wunu.edu.ua/index.php/appj/article/view/2183 
Krushynskyi, S. A., & Dankova, S. O. (2022). Adversarial proceedings as a guarantee of 
the  right  to  a  fair  trial  in  the  interpretation  of  the  European  Court  of  Human  Rights. 
Amparo, Special Issue, 2, 7–16. https://doi.org/10.26661/2786-5649-2022-spec-2-01 

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3

Thematic Dossier - Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional

Transformation in Times of Global and National Challenges

March 2026, pp. 49-65

Judicial reform as a factor in increasing public trust in justice

Serhii Krushynskyi, Mykola Vavrynchuk, Olha Kohut, Serhii Mandzii, Svitlana Loginova

Kryvytskyi, Y. (2024). Judicial lawmaking and judicial reform: Theoretical and practical

aspects of the relationship. Law Journal of the National Academy of Internal

Affairs, 3(14), 43-54. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7063-4725

Kryvytskyi, Y. V. (2023). Legal transformation as a component of modern legal

development. Almanac of Law, 14, 248–253. https://doi.org/10.33663/2524-017X-

2023-14-248-253

Lashyn, S., Leshchyshyn, A., & Popova, M. (2023). Civil society as an informal institution

in Ukraine’s judicial reform process. German Law Journal, 24(8), 1488–1502.

https://doi.org/10.1017/glj.2023.87

OECD. (2024). OECD Survey on Drivers of Trust in Public Institutions – 2024 Results:

Building Trust in a Complex Policy Environment. OECD Publishing.

https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-survey-on-drivers-of-trust-in-public-

institutions-2024-results_9a20554b-en/full-report/trust-and-information-

integrity_49ce5100.html

OECD. (2025). Government at a Glance 2025: Trust, accessibility, responsiveness, and

quality of justice services. OECD Publishing.

https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/government-at-a-glance-2025_0efd0bcd-en/full-

report/trust-accessibility-responsiveness-and-quality-of-justice-

services_d04411e8.html

Pomaza-Ponomarenko, A., Leonenko, N., Cherniahivska, V., Lehan, I., &Puzanova, G.

(2024). Dynamics of legal transformations: Assessment of impact on society and analysis

of determinations of changes in the legislative sphere. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 7,

Article 2024spe037. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2024spe037

State Judicial Administration of Ukraine. (2024). Judicial statistics and financial reports

of Ukraine’s judiciary (2016–2024). https://court.gov.ua/eng/

Teremetskyi, V., Boiko, V., Malyshev, O., Seleznova, O., &Kelbia, S. (2023). Electronic

judiciary in Ukraine: Problems of implementation and possible solutions. Revista

Amazonia Investiga, 12(68), 33–42.

https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=9385599

Teremetskyi, V., Kovalchuk, O., Kolesnikov, A., Bogdanov, R., Korniienko, M., & Dir, I.

(2024). Improving the information and legal support of the judicial system of Ukraine:

Experience of the European Court of Human Rights. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(3), 61–

74. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=1276097

Venice Commission. (2021–2024). Opinions and recommendations on judicial reform in

Ukraine. Council of Europe. https://www.coe.int/en/web/venice-commission/ukraine

Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. (2016). Law of Ukraine on the Judiciary and the Status of

Judges (No. 1402-VIII). Official Bulletin of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, 31, Article

545. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1402-19#Text

World Bank. (2023). Worldwide Governance Indicators.

https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/worldwide-governance-indicators

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD3

Thematic Dossier - Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Institutional

Transformation in Times of Global and National Challenges

March 2026, pp. 49-65

Judicial reform as a factor in increasing public trust in justice

Serhii Krushynskyi, Mykola Vavrynchuk, Olha Kohut, Serhii Mandzii, Svitlana Loginova

Zabokrytskyi, I. I. (2020). The use of comparative constitutional interpretation method

in the practice of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine as a feature of modern

constitutionalism transnationalization. Law and Society, 2, 45–51.

https://doi.org/10.32842/2078-3736/2020.2-1.8

Zabokrytskyy, I. (2020). Transnational civil society influence on anti-corruption courts:

Ukraine’s experience. Global Jurist, 20(1), Article 20190010. https://doi.org/10.1515/gj-

2019-0010

Zhukevych, I., Dzikovskyi, M., Kiriushyn, D., Koziar, R., &Korniienko, P. (2025). Factors

and proposals for improving the efficiency of the enforcement of judicial decisions in

Ukraine. International Journal of Law and Society, 4(1), 47–66.

https://doi.org/10.59683/ijls.v4i1.157