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PROJECTS

Ukrainian Commercial Courts Judicial Capacity Building Programme

Ukrainian Capacity Building Programme

In 2023, the UK Ministry of Justice (MOJ) commissioned the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) to produce a report on 'Unlocking Investment in Ukraine'. 

The report, issued in April 2024, highlighted the importance of enhancing the judicial capacity and capability of Ukrainian courts in order to increase confidence among investors. As part of the report, BIICL conducted a survey of Ukrainian judges from first instance to Supreme Court levels, which identified a very high demand (96% of respondents) for a judicial capacity building programme in the commercial jurisdiction.

Based on this demand, the MOJ commissioned BIICL to design and develop a peer-to-peer programme in which UK and Ukrainian judges will exchange their knowledge and experience.

Project Objectives

The programme will build the capacity of judges from all tiers of Ukraine's commercial court system (from first instance to the Supreme Court), with respect to judgecraft, procedural issues in commercial court cases, and the vital role of judges in relation to arbitration and ADR. The programme participants will engage in peer-to-peer dialogue with highly eminent members of the judiciary of England and Wales and leading ADR experts, who will share their insights on the best UK and international practices for resolving commercial disputes and strengthening the enforcement of court decisions and arbitral awards.

By increasing the expertise and predictability of the Ukrainian courts, the project aims to increase confidence among investors who can support the post-conflict reconstruction and long-term development of Ukraine.

A detailed timetable for the programme is available here.

Acknowledgements

BIICL extends its warm thanks for the steadfast support of the UK Ministry of Justice, the UK Judicial Office and Judicial College of England and Wales, the Ukraine Ministry of Justice, the UK embassy in Poland, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Launch Event

A launch event was held on Tuesday 24th February 2026. This featured welcome addresses from eminent judicial and political representatives, including The Rt Hon Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury GBS PC Hon FRS (President of BIICL and the former President of the UK Supreme Court), Sarah Sackman KC MP (Minister of State at the UK Ministry of Justice) and Lyudmila Kravchenko (Ukraine's Deputy Justice Minister). A recording of Minister Sackman's address can be viewed below.

Trainers

  • His Honour Judge Milwyn Jarman KC, Chancery Judge for Wales, sitting in the Wales Circuit Commercial Court and the Technology and Construction Court
  • The Hon. Mr Justice David Waksman, High Court Judge of the Commercial Court and the Technology and Construction Court
  • District Judge Rachel Watkin, District Judge of the Wales Circuit
  • His Honour Judge James Tindal, Specialist Civil Circuit Judge in Birmingham; authorised to sit as a Judge of the High Court in the Chancery and King's Bench Divisions and in the Administrative Court
  • Lord Justice David Foxton, Lord Justice of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales
  • Jonathan Wood, Chair of International Arbitration, Reynolds Porter Chamberlain; Chair of the London Chamber of Arbitration and Mediation; past President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
  • Yuliya Chernykh, International arbitrator; Professor of Law at the Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences
  • Richard Wilmot-Smith KC, Barrister, Arbitrator and Adjudicator, 39 Essex Chambers; Bencher of the Middle Temple
  • Ruth Keating, Barrister, 39 Essex Chambers 

International Advisory Board (IAB)

The programme was designed in close collaboration with an International Advisory Board of eminent experts:

  • Lord Thomas of Cwymgiedd, President of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre; former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales
  • Sir Robin Knowles KC, High Court judge and judge with responsibility for the Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts (SIFoCC)
  • Ivan Mishchenko, Judge of the Supreme Court of Ukraine
  • Olena Kibenko, Judge of the Supreme Court of Ukraine
  • Kostiantyn Pilkov, Judge of the Supreme Court in Ukraine
  • Jonathan Wood, Chair of International Arbitration, Reynolds Porter Chamberlain; Chair of the London Chamber of Arbitration and Mediation; past President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
  • Yuliya Chernykh, International arbitrator; Professor of Law at the Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences

Contact Us

Enquiries regarding the programme should be addressed to Mariia Tymofiienko, Head of Projects, Ukraine International Law Response.

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