With the Support of EU Project Pravo-Justice, a Study Visit to the Court of Justice of the EU Took Place
On January 21-22, with the support of EU Project Pravo-Justice, a study visit to the Court of Justice of the European Union (Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg) took place.
The Ukrainian delegation was composed of Ukrainian MPs, members of the High Council of Justice and the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine, justices of the Supreme Court, representatives of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, and the National School of Judges of Ukraine.
During the visit, they familiarised with the peculiarities of the Court’s operation and exchanged experience on court practice. In particular, the members of the Ukrainian delegation heard speeches by President of the Court Koen Lenaerts, First Advocate General of the European Court of Justice Maciej Szpunar, and other judges.
"For Ukraine, as a candidate country for EU accession, understanding the operation of the Court of Justice of the European Union is key to successful integration into the EU legal system. The Court of Justice ensures a uniform interpretation and application of EU law; harmonisation of Ukrainian legislation with the acquis communautaire is impossible without understanding its practice and principles of operation. Ukrainian judges should be preparing now for their future role within the EU legal system. After all, with the accession, they will be able to address to the Court for preliminary rulings to ensure the uniform application of EU law," said Oksana Tsymbrivska, Team Leader of EU Project Pravo-Justice.
She also assured that EU Project Pravo-Justice would continue supporting such initiatives so that the Ukrainian judicial system was as well prepared as possible for Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
The EU Court of Justice is the judicial branch of the European Union, established in 1952. It consists of the European Court of Justice and the General Court (established in 1988).
In cooperation with the courts and tribunals of the Member States, the Court of Justice ensures the uniform application and interpretation of EU law:
- reviews the legality of acts of the EU institutions;
- ensures that Member States comply with their obligations under the Treaties;
- interprets European Union law at the request of national courts and tribunals.
It is worth mentioning that earlier, EU Project Pravo-Justice prepared and published a manual dedicated to the EU Court of Justice jurisprudence on the rule of law and its significance for Ukraine.