How to increase the efficiency of court decisions enforcement – discussed at the seminar

Today, there is a need to strengthen the powers of judges in the process of monitoring the enforcement of court decisions. What tools are already available for this purpose and what could be introduced?

These issues were discussed at the workshop «Judicial Control over the Enforcement of Court Decisions» organized by the National School of Judges for judges of local and appellate courts.

The event was devoted to the problems of implementing the Law dated 21.11.2024 No. 4094-IX «On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Improving the Provisions on Judicial Control». Oleksandr Chernykh, Chairman of the Ukrainian National Bar Association's Committee on Enforcement of Decisions, was invited as one of the speakers.

The seminar addressed the key issues of enforcement of judgments in Ukraine and the mechanisms of liability of debtors provided for by law:

• administrative sanctions, including fines for government officials;
• civil liability;
• criminal liability under Articles 382 and 389 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine;
• blocking of accounts and seizure of debtors' property by the executive service;
• the possibility of introducing compulsory attendance of the debtor in the enforcement proceedings.

O. Chernykh noted that the situation with the enforcement of court decisions in Ukraine remains problematic, but it is not critical or catastrophic. He cited the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, according to which Ukraine ranks better than some neighboring countries. This indicates some progress in the judiciary. «There are positive developments that need to be enshrined in law and through practical mechanisms of judicial control», - the lawyer said.

The UNBA representative emphasized the importance of taking into account international experience in this area. In particular, in the European Union countries, astrent (a court sanction in the form of a monetary penalty imposed on the debtor for each day or other period of non-compliance with a court decision) is widely used, which encourages voluntary enforcement of court decisions.

O. Chernykh also emphasized the importance of the active role of lawyers. «Attorneys take a proactive stance in the fight for the effective enforcement of court decisions, as it directly affects the rights and freedoms of citizens», - he said. Chairman of the specialized committee is convinced that lawyers should be not only defenders, but also authors of changes working to improve the rule of law.

Following the discussion, the participants of the event concluded that the effective enforcement of court decisions requires:

• strengthening of judges' control over the enforcement of judgments;
• introduction of mechanisms for financial incentives for the enforcement of judgments;
• improving cooperation between the judiciary, executive bodies and law enforcement agencies;
• adaptation of international experience to the Ukrainian legal framework.

Proposals were also formulated to improve legislation in the field of enforcement proceedings.