Representatives of the Supreme Court get acquainted with the American system of judiciary and public administration

Judges of the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court Olha Buleiko, Iryna Vorobiova, Secretary of the Judicial Chamber for the Protection of Social Rights of the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court Andrii Rybachuk, Judges of the Supreme Court in the Administrative Cassation Court Iryna Honcharova, Andrii Zahorodniuk, Judge of the Supreme Court in the Commercial Cassation Court Serhii Mohyl, and employee of the Supreme Court Staff Antonina Vasilevska took part in an international educational programme for Ukrainian judges and court staff organised by the International Cultural and Educational Association (ICEA) in continuation of its cooperation with the Supreme Court and under a joint agreement with the Ukrainian Association of Women Judges (UAWJ). The purpose of the educational programme is to familiarise Ukrainian legal professionals with the American system of public administration, judicial system and jurisprudence at various levels.

As part of the event, the participants of the study visit got acquainted, in particular, with the experience of the U.S. Supreme Court, the International Association of Women Judges, the American National Association of Women Judges, and the American Judges Association.

During the meeting at the U.S. Supreme Court, they learned more about the peculiarities of the U.S. judiciary, the organisation of the judicial process, and the consideration of certain categories of cases.

The Ukrainian delegation also visited the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, where they met with Chief Judge Elaine Kaplan, Judge Bohdan Futey, and Vice President of the International Cultural and Educational Association Elena Seitz. The Supreme Court representatives listened to a presentation by Judge Bohdan Futey on the US judicial system.

The study visit included a meeting with Debbie Shrager, Director of the Supreme Court Institute, in the courtroom, where she presented the court's training programme, which uses the experience of teachers and practitioners to train lawyers.

The participants of the study visit joined the International Forum ‘Rebirth of Ukraine’ held in Washington, DC. At this forum, Ukraine was represented by a delegation of about 50 mayors from different regions of Ukraine, members of the All-Ukrainian Association of Communities (AUAC). The forum addressed key issues related to economic recovery, infrastructure strengthening and the need for international support in times of war.

Olha Buleiko and Andrii Zahorodniuk spoke at one of the event's sections. Regarding the steps taken by Ukraine to attract foreign investment, Olha Buleiko noted that after 2014, a network of anti-corruption bodies was established in Ukraine, including NABU, SAPO and NACP. Subsequently, the High Anti-Corruption Court began its work, and a separate judicial chamber was created in the CCU of the Supreme Court and its anti-corruption specialisation was determined. Thus, a comprehensive system of law enforcement and judicial anti-corruption bodies was formed. In his speech, Andrii Zahorodniuk drew attention to the positive effects of the judicial reform aimed at protecting the rights of citizens, raising the standards of ethical behaviour and responsibility of judges.  

The Ukrainian lawyers also visited the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States and met with Oleksandr Borysenko. During this meeting, they discussed current relations between the United States and Ukraine and the work of diplomats in protecting the rights of Ukrainian citizens.

The judges and staff also visited the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, where they met with Judge Vanessa Ruiz, former president of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ). The judge briefed the participants on the history of this non-profit organisation and noted that the main purpose of its creation and activities is to protect and promote the rule of law, ensure equal access to justice and gender equality, and empower women judges.

In addition, the participants of the educational programme visited the office of Jones Day, an international law firm with a 130-year history and culture of client service. The participants had the opportunity to learn about the firm's civil practice, the specifics of working with clients and representing their interests in court.

Photo courtesy of the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States.