Course Co-Directors: Marta Mochulska (Ivan Franko National University of Lviv) and Marta Spodaryk (Ivan Franko National University of Lviv / Right to Protection Charitable Foundation)
This course explores justice as both a fundamental value of democratic societies and a guiding principle of judicial systems across Europe. It examines how independent courts protect the rule of law, uphold human rights, and respond to periods of political, social, and constitutional transformation.
Drawing on comparative European perspectives, the course addresses judicial independence, European standards of justice, judicial reform, and contemporary challenges to the judiciary, including democratic backsliding, political interference, and the erosion of the rule of law. Particular attention is given to developments in Ukraine, Poland, and other European countries.
The course also examines justice in times of war and societal transition, exploring transitional justice, accountability for international crimes, the role of courts during wartime, and post-war reconstruction. Ukraine serves as a central case study, illustrating the challenges of administering justice while pursuing judicial reform and European integration.
A particular focus is placed on public trust in the judiciary as a cornerstone of legitimate and effective justice. By connecting normative concepts of justice with contemporary legal developments, the course offers a comparative perspective on the evolving role of courts in addressing the challenges facing Europe today.