27 March 2026
On 18 March 2026, a round table was held on the topic “The Constitutional Court in times of war and post-war development”.
The event was attended by judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine Vasyl Lemak (head of the delegation), Viktor Gorodovenko, Alla Oliinyk, Oleksandr Vodiannikov, and Galyna Yurovska, as well as the President, Deputy President and judges of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia.
The President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia Frane Stanišić, and judge of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine Vasyl Lemak addressed the participants with welcoming remarks. In their speeches, they emphasised the importance of developing professional dialogue between constitutional courts, exchanging experience in the field of constitutional review, and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the face of contemporary challenges.
During the first session, presentations were delivered by Deputy President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia Mato Arlović, and a judge of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine Galyna Yurovska. The speakers focused on the specific features of exercising constitutional review in wartime; the challenges facing constitutional courts during periods of social upheaval; and the role of constitutional courts in ensuring the rule of law, protecting human rights and freedoms, and preserving the institutional stability of the state.
A separate thematic section was devoted to landmark decisions of both courts, highlighting their significance for the development of modern constitutionalism. Presentations were delivered by judge of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine Oleksandr Vodiannikov and judge of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia Maša Marochini Zrinski.
The focus was also on issues relating to the organisation of the work of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia, in particular the process of preparing and delivering decisions, methodological approaches to research in constitutional proceedings, and mechanisms for internal coordination.
As part of the programme, judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine held a meeting with, Ukraine’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Croatia Vasyl Kyrylych.
The event was an important platform for strengthening professional contacts, exchanging practical experience in the field of constitutional justice, and deepening bilateral cooperation between the constitutional courts of Ukraine and Croatia.
