Events
Oleksandr Leshchenko participated in an expert discussion on the crisis of substantiation in criminal justice in Ukraine
The quality of reasoning behind procedural decisions is one of the key prerequisites for fair criminal justice. The extent to which notices of suspicion, motions, and judicial decisions are properly substantiated directly affects both the effectiveness of justice and the protection of fundamental human rights throughout criminal proceedings.
These issues were at the center of the expert discussion “The Crisis of Substantiation in Criminal Justice in Ukraine”, attended by Oleksandr Leshchenko, Managing Partner at LESHCHENKO & PARTNERS, Attorney-at-Law, PhD in Law, and Associate Professor.
The event took place on June 22, 2026, and was organized by the Center for Legal Information, Professional Development and Expert Research of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Law of Vadym Hetman Kyiv National Economic University (KNEU). The discussion brought together judges, attorneys, legal scholars, academics, and other legal professionals to address current challenges in criminal procedure.
The discussion focused on the application of the “reasonable suspicion” standard, the assessment of evidence during judicial review, the substantiation of investigating judges’ decisions, and potential improvements to the procedure for challenging notices of suspicion.
Participants also examined international standards for reasoning judicial decisions, opportunities for their implementation in Ukraine, and ways to strengthen the effectiveness of judicial oversight in criminal proceedings.
The experts emphasized the need for further improvement of criminal procedural legislation and legal practice aimed at maintaining a proper balance between the interests of criminal prosecution and the protection of individual rights and freedoms.
LESHCHENKO & PARTNERS remains actively engaged in professional discussions on the development of criminal justice and supports initiatives aimed at strengthening the rule of law and advancing legal standards in Ukraine.
“Any procedural decision affecting an individual’s rights must be properly substantiated. When reasoning is replaced by assumptions, it creates risks not only for the person concerned but also for public trust in the justice system as a whole. This is why improving judicial oversight mechanisms and standards for evaluating evidence remains one of the key priorities for the development of criminal justice”
