JUDICIAL REFORM AS A FACTOR IN INCREASING PUBLIC TRUST IN JUSTICE

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 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.