Renowned attorneys will speak at Legal High School about effectively appealing court decisions and challenging the review of acquittals.

Lawyers know that it is one thing to secure an acquittal for a client in criminal proceedings, and quite another to see that acquittal carried out. According to statistics, less than 30% of acquittals remain unchanged after appellate review. On the other hand, if the outcome of the trial in the court of first instance was disappointing, an appeal is an excellent opportunity to correct mistakes. So it’s clear that once a verdict is handed down, it’s not time to relax.

Experts from the Legal High School’s School of Criminal Practice will explain how to prepare for a case review and be ready for any resistance from the prosecution during the week-long course “Review of Court Decisions. Enforcement of Sentences.”
Over the course of four days, from September 3 to 6, leading experts in criminal law and procedure will discuss how to effectively appeal court decisions and counter opposition during the review of acquittals, the review and reevaluation of evidence by the appellate court, the requirements for a cassation appeal against a verdict, the right to appeal to the ECHR, as well as how to provide legal assistance to convicted persons during the enforcement of sentences and how to avoid harming a client during the review process.

In particular, Oleksandr LISAK, a partner at EQUITY Law Firm, will discuss the procedure for appealing verdicts and how to correctly calculate time limits, as well as the consequences of missing the deadline for filing an appeal. Viktor Duma, an attorney at Asters, will address the requirements for filing an appeal against a court verdict and what defense counsel should keep in mind. Oleksandr Shadrin, a partner at the “Barristers” Law Firm, will discuss the grounds for prosecutors to appeal acquittals and cite case law regarding successful appeals. Andrei Chekhonadsky, head of the claims and litigation group at Retail Group PJSC and an attorney, will discuss the nuances of third parties’ right to have verdicts reviewed: grounds for appeal, the scope of review, and the implications for criminal proceedings.

Oleksandr LISAK, partner at EQUITY Law Firm, will share his expertise on the review and reevaluation of evidence by the appellate court, the possibility for parties to the proceedings to submit new evidence, and the nuances of exercising third parties’ rights to have verdicts reviewed. Oleksandr Gotin, attorney-at-law, will discuss court decisions in criminal proceedings that can be appealed separately from verdicts, as well as the grounds and necessity for exercising this right in defense. Vladimir Rudnichenko, junior partner and head of the business security practice at Yuskutum Law Firm, will discuss the requirements for a cassation appeal against a verdict and the grounds for refusing to initiate such proceedings. Serhiy Lysenko, founder of Gracers Law Firm, will discuss current practice and the position of the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court in criminal cases regarding the uniform application of specific provisions of criminal law and procedure.

The issue of amnesty as a basis for closing criminal proceedings at any stage, the nuances of its application, and the legal consequences for the client will be discussed by Hanna Kolesnik, attorney, and Igor Svetlichny, attorney and trainer for the professional development program for employees of the National Police of Ukraine. Marina Matsegora, attorney, will discuss the determination of the place of imprisonment: the jurisdiction of the authorities that determine the “severity of the regime.” Conditions of imprisonment according to ECHR case law. Igor Svetlichny, attorney and trainer for the professional development program for employees of the National Police of Ukraine, will discuss the application of compulsory educational or medical measures and the specifics of judicial oversight of the implementation of such measures. Andriana Kulchytska, partner at Nazar Kulchytskyy & Partners Law Firm, will discuss the right to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights and the specifics of implementing the requirements of Article 32 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms regarding the right to file an individual complaint.

The event’s partners are:
General Partner of the School of Criminal Practice — EQUITY Law Firm
Expert Partner of the School of Criminal Practice — “Barristers”
Law Firm Partner of the School of Criminal Practice — Gracers Law Firm

Schedule and Registration