“Pravova derzhava”. Issue 37 (2026), pages 572–582.

DOI: 10.33663/0869-2491-2026-37-572-582

Kvasha Oksana
Transitional justice in Ukraine: terminological discussion between “judiciary” and “justice” in the transitional period

ISSN online: 2617-9776 print: 0869-2491

Introduction. Ukraine should already be developing a strategy for the transition “from war to peace,” as this process is predicted to be long, extremely complex, and will require the transformation of all spheres of life in Ukrainian society: both in the economy and social governance, and in the fight against crime and the administration of justice, etc. There is no comprehensive program document that would contain a modern strategy for reforming the justice system that would meet the specifics of the activities of courts during war and post-war reconstruction, and there is also a lack of a clear response to the obligations of Ukraine’s integration into the European Union. However, it is impossible to achieve success in developing a transitional justice strategy without defining adequate terminology. The key terminological problem is to find a name that corresponds to the content of the relevant activity.

The aim of the article: clarify the optimal term for designating the activities of the justice bodies of Ukraine in the conditions of the transition period.

Results and conclusions. The existence of objective reasons for the absence of a unified solution to the problem of transitional (transitive) justice (justice) in world practice is substantiated, starting with terminology, ending with structural elements and substantive content. The use of the concept of “transitional justice” is recognized as incorrect, since the content embedded in it is much broader. The priority of the use of the term “justice” in relation to the transitional period that Ukraine is experiencing is proven. Transitional justice is not only judicial procedures, but also the transformation of all branches of legislation (criminal, administrative, civil, etc.), a 10-year judicial reform and other constituent elements. It is also about compensation for war victims and establishing the truth (truth). Therefore, the concept of “transitional justice” should be applied during the law-making process.

The transition to a just peace and a state based on the rule of law necessitates the scientific development of a holistic, comprehensive strategic document, which should become an effective practical mechanism for implementing European integration requirements for our state in the field of justice, along with the completion of the reform of the judicial system and relevant legislation.

Keywords: transitional judiciary, transitional justice, transitional period, justice, human rights, right to a fair trial, war crime, establishing the truth, strategy, state policy, criminal justice, armed aggression, international criminal justice, rule of law, roadmap.

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Дата першого надходження рукопису до видання: 01.02.2026
Дата прийнятого до друку рукопису після рецензування: 03.03.2026
Дата публікації: 24.03.2026