In the context of unprecedented competitions to fill a significant number of judicial vacancies in local and appellate courts, ensuring the effective induction and proper organisation of the work of newly appointed judges has become a matter of particular importance.
Providing every judge with reliable informational support, practical guidance for day-to-day judicial work, and a comprehensive reference source on judicial and court administration formed the focus of the presentation of the publication “Handbook for Newly Appointed Judges: Practical Guidance for the Beginning of a Judicial Career”, which took place in Kyiv on June 15, 2026.
During the event, the National School of Judges of Ukraine, jointly with the EU Project “Pravo-Justice”, presented the Handbook for Newly Appointed Judges. The publication is intended to serve as a practical reference for judges embarking upon their judicial careers, assisting them in adapting more quickly to their new professional responsibilities, establishing efficient working practices, fostering effective communication with participants in judicial proceedings and colleagues, and confidently addressing the challenges commonly encountered during the first years of judicial service. Particular attention during the presentation was devoted to issues of judicial ethics, workload management, time management, adherence to the principles of judicial independence and integrity, and the development of the competencies necessary for delivering justice in a high-quality, timely and efficient manner.
Members of the Commission, Liudmyla Volkova, Vitalii Gatseliuk and Ruslan Melnyk, contributed to the preparation of the Handbook as co-authors. Their professional expertise and practical experience formed the basis of several thematic chapters covering practical recommendations on completing declarations of integrity and family ties, the importance of regular judicial assessment as a tool for professional development, the particular features of qualification assessment as an integral component of judicial career progression, including practical guidance on preparing for exams and interviews, as well as professional standards, ethical principles and the organisation of judicial work.
As key experts at the event, the Commission members not only participated in the presentation of the publication but also contributed to expert discussions addressing the challenges faced by judges at the outset of their professional careers.
In particular, the panel discussion entitled “Beginning a Judicial Career: Professional Guidance and Ethical Standards” explored issues relating to judicial training, the significance of judicial ethics, the role of judicial governance and self-governance bodies in supporting newly appointed judges, and mechanisms for ensuring the effective administration of justice.
The second panel discussion, “Judge in the Contemporary Environment: Organisation of Judicial Work, Digital Tools and Professional Resilience” proved equally relevant. Participants discussed the implementation of innovative digital solutions within the judiciary, the organisation of judicial workflows, workload management, and the maintenance of professional resilience in a period of continuous transformation.
The participation of the Commission members in the preparation of the Handbook made it possible to combine an educational approach with practical recommendations for successfully addressing the everyday challenges of judicial work. The Handbook will be of value not only to newly appointed judges, who at the beginning of their judicial careers require practical guidance and recommendations for their daily professional activities, but also to experienced judges.
