The Parliament of Ukraine establishes two new specialised administrative courts

On 2 October 2025, the Law of Ukraine “On the establishment of the Specialised District Administrative Court, the Specialised Administrative Court of Appeal” No. 4602-IX, dated 16 September 2025 (the “Law”) came into effect.

The Law establishes two new judicial bodies: the Specialised District Administrative Court and the Specialised Administrative Court of Appeal.

Jurisdiction

The jurisdiction of the new courts and the procedure for the judicial selection process are governed by the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Judiciary and Status of Judges’ and Certain Other Legislative Acts of Ukraine Regarding the Legal Framework for the Establishment and Operation of the Specialised District Administrative Court and the Specialised Administrative Court of Appeal” No. 4264-IX, dated 26 February 2025.

The Specialised District Administrative Court shall hear cases concerning:

• claims against acts, actions, or omissions of the Cabinet of Ministers, central executive bodies, and other public authorities whose jurisdiction extends to the entire territory of Ukraine;
• exercise of state regulation, supervision, and control in the field of mass media;
• cancellation of registration and prohibition of political parties;
• claims against decisions of selection committees for the positions of heads of the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, the National Agency for Corruption Prevention, the Economic Security Bureau, and the State Customs Service;
• claims against acts, actions, or inaction in disciplinary proceedings against prosecutors;
• claims by the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine in the field of state aid to business entities.

The Specialised Administrative Court of Appeal shall review judgments delivered by the Specialised District Administrative Court as a court of first instance.

Timeline for Establishment

The High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine is required to announce a selection process for judges within one month of the Law’s effective date, meaning by 2 November 2025. The new courts will begin their operations only after at least half of the determined number of judges have been appointed.

Specialised courts will consolidate complex and high-profile cases against public authorities, helping to develop uniform case law and improve the quality of proceedings.

Additional information

This legal alert is issued to inform AVELLUM clients and other interested parties of legal developments that may affect or otherwise be of interest to them. The information above does not constitute legal or other advice and should not be considered a substitute for specific advice in individual cases.

For further information on this legal alert and other issues regarding the administrative litigation in Ukraine, please contact senior partner Kostiantyn Likarchuk and partner Vadim Medvedev.