In brief
On 16 September 2025, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law of Ukraine “On the establishment of the Specialized District Administrative Court and Specialized Appellate Administrative Court” (“Law”).
The Law provides for the establishment of two higher specialized courts: (i) the Specialized District Administrative Court and (ii) the Specialized Appellate Administrative Court, which both have jurisdiction over the entire territory of Ukraine.
The Law will enter into force on 2 October 2025.
Background
The legal framework for the establishment of two specialized administrative courts was provided for by the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine ’On the Judiciary and the Status of Judges’ and Certain Other Legislative Acts of Ukraine Regarding the Legal Framework for the Establishment and Functioning of the Specialized District Administrative Court and the Specialized Appellate Administrative Court” dated 26 February 2025 (“Framework Law”).
The Framework Law introduced amendments, among others, to the Code of Administrative Procedure of Ukraine, pursuant to which the Specialized District Administrative Court shall exercise jurisdiction over administrative cases regarding the following:
- Challenging the acts, actions or omissions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, a ministry or other central executive authority, the National Bank of Ukraine, or other public authority the powers of which extend over the entire territory of Ukraine (except for cases specifically defined by the Code)
- State regulation, supervision and control of the media
- Annulment of a political party’s registration or prohibition of the political party
- Challenging the decisions of the selection commissions for certain positions (i.e., head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, director of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, etc.)
- Challenging acts, actions or omissions of the authority conducting disciplinary proceedings against prosecutors
- Claims of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine regarding state aid to business entities
The Specialized Appellate Administrative Court, as a court of appeal, shall review the decisions of the Specialized District Administrative Court.
In conclusion
As defined by the Framework Law, within one month from the date of entry into force of the Law, the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine shall announce a competition for the positions of judges of the Specialized District Administrative Court and Specialized Appellate Administrative Court.
The courts shall commence their work upon the appointment of at least half of the judges of the respective court as a result of the competition. The day of commencement of work of the respective court shall be determined by the decision of the meeting of judges, which shall be published on the web portal of the judiciary of Ukraine and in the newspaper “Holos Ukrainy”.
