Criminal Justice Summer School 2025: Creating Space for Future Lawyers to Grow
We are convinced that real change in the criminal justice system starts with people. Laws and institutions can change, but only lawyers with a new vision, courage, and values can turn these changes into reality. That is why it is so important for us to work with students, the future of criminal justice, who are already shaping a culture of integrity and professional responsibility today.
With the support of its partners, JustGroup keeps developing a space for dialogue between students and practitioners. This dialogue began with the JustStudents platform and continued in the format of a Summer School — a place where meaning is born and bridges of trust are built. It was with these convictions that Vasylyna Yavorska, JustGroup Team Leader, began her speech:
“Criminal justice is a kind of marker of a country’s development. I would even say it is a marker of its civilizational choice. If we examine criminal justice practices closely, they often reveal where we stand, what our development horizon is, and what enables us as a country and a people to survive. I really want to believe that Ukrainian students will look at the system of criminal justice not only from the perspective of a future employer, but also from the perspective of the country’s development. That is why this Summer School is another tool for us to help build bridges between criminal justice institutions, practitioners, and Ukrainian law students.”
Five days of lively dialogue
Criminal Justice Summer School 2025 became a space where law students had the opportunity to see justice from the inside, ask questions to those who make difficult decisions every day, and experience the atmosphere of the profession without embellishment. They immersed themselves in a world where law and justice, ethics and professional courage, challenges and the search for effective solutions intertwine.
We covered key challenges and current trends in criminal justice, from the impact of ECHR decisions to anti-corruption practices, from international justice to Investigative Interviewing. And, of course, we did not shy away from topics such as values, professional ethics, and the role of law students in changing the system. This was emphasized by Suzanne Flolo from the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights:
“Professional ethics and the ability to work with evidence are the foundation of trust in justice in a democratic society. These are the things that distinguish an independent and fair justice system from one that serves political or other interests.”
Vira Mykhailenko, head of the High Anti-Corruption Court, expressed a similar view:
“Transformations in criminal justice begin not only with changes in legislation or institutions, but with a change in worldview. This is an open attitude towards ethics, respect for human rights, and a willingness to think more broadly. And it is students today who can become the ones who bring a new vision to the system.”
These words summed up the School’s values and opened a discussion on specific challenges and directions for development.
Who was with us
From among 150 applications, we selected 25 students from eight regions of Ukraine and nine universities: Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukrainian Catholic University, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Kyiv School of Economics, Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs, Dnipro State University of Internal Affairs, and Vasyl Stus Donetsk National University.
During five days of intensive work, students explored topical issues in criminal justice, including:
● the impact of ECHR decisions on Ukrainian criminal justice was analyzed by Rasim Babanly, First Deputy Head of Staff of the Supreme Court, and Marharyta Sokorenko, Government Commissioner for the ECHR;
● the dilemmas of the right to privacy and professional ethics were discussed with Vira Mykhailenko, Head of the High Council of Justice, lawyer Daria Svyrydova (Azones Law Firm), Kirsty Sutherland (IBA), and Veronika Plotnikova (PGO);
● the effectiveness of anti-corruption investigations was covered by Denys Hiulmahomedov, First Deputy Director of NABU, and Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi, Director of the ESB;
● plea agreements and civil forfeiture were discussed with SAPO prosecutors Oleh Makar and Yelena Drobotova, as well as with NABU senior detective Nataliia Derii;
● challenges for big business in criminal prosecution were presented by lawyer Natalia Mazur (Azones Law Firm);
● Andriy Leshchenko, Deputy Prosecutor General, and Anton Korynevych, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explained the architecture of international justice for Ukraine;
● Mykola Mazur, judge of the Supreme Court, and Mark Ellis, executive director of the International Bar Association (online), discussed the specifics of in absentia proceedings;
● Yurii Bielousov, Head of the War Department of the PGO, Volodymyr Vasylchuk, Senior Detective of the NABU, and Iryna Samborska, Prosecutor of the PGO, familiarized participants with the principles and algorithm of Investigative Interviewing;
● Bohdan Kryklyvenko, Head of the High Anti-Corruption Court, presented on the effectiveness of court administration;
●In the final moot court session, participants competed under the watchful eye of judges Ihor Strohyi, Dmytrо Mykhailenko, and Maryna Bondarenko, the SAPO prosecutors Volodymyr Volodin, Valentina Hrebeniuk, and Vitalii Korzun, as well as lawyers Mykola Miahkov, Nataliia Mazur, and Andriana Kulchytska.
At the heart of all these discussions was the idea that knowledge and skills remain the most valuable assets for law students. This was emphasized by Olena Lunрol, project manager at the Council of Europe:
“Investing in knowledge and skills never loses its value. Even in times of great challenges, even when it seems that everything around you is falling apart, education remains the foundation that helps you move forward and maintain your professional identity.”
A special place in the program was given to a meeting with the President of the Supreme Court, Stanislav Kravchenko. He shared his vision for the functioning of the jury system in Ukraine and ensuring the unity of judicial practice in administrative offense cases. The President emphasized that communicating with future lawyers is very inspiring, and that the level of discussion demonstrated the students’ strong knowledge and awareness of current issues in criminal law and procedure.
An atmosphere that shapes values
Summer school is always more than just learning. This year, participants not only gained knowledge but also lived through experiences — through networking, reflection, and encounters that left a lasting impression.
The School’s program is not just a set of lectures and practical classes. It is, above all, an atmosphere in which students learn to trust their values and ask bold questions. This is exactly what Volodymyr Venher, Dean of the Faculty of Law at NaUKMA, spoke about:
“Students who choose learning and development over easy paths are already ‘healing’ society with their honesty and ambition. Their curiosity and courage to ask difficult questions are shaping a new culture of the legal profession.”
In this context, the words of Rasim Babanly were particularly resonant:
“Can justice be equated with fairness? This is a question that makes you think. Even among lawyers, the answers vary: for some, justice is only about legality, for others, fairness is too subjective a category. But a court without fairness loses its meaning. The task of a lawyer is not only to apply the law, but also to find a balance between the letter of the law and fairness. It is important to explain decisions in a way that is understandable to society. Only then will justice gain trust.”
These words stayed with the participants for a long time, because they are not about theory, but about the guidelines that true professionals follow.
Criminal Justice Summer School 2025 is organized by JustGroup with the support of the International Bar Association, the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, and Azones Law Firm, in partnership with the Supreme Court, the High Anti-Corruption Court, the NaUKMA Faculty of Law, and the UCU Faculty of Law.
Photo: Anna Putylina
