13 Apr, 2026
Sections
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Adopts the Law to Improve the Enforcement of Court Decisions
Event
On April 7, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine to Improve the Enforcement of Court Decisions, Decisions of Other Bodies, and the Digitalization of Certain Stages of Enforcement Proceedings” (Draft Law № 14005).
The adoption of this law is an important step toward implementing the Ukraine Facility Plan (p.3.8) and securing the funding envisioned under this plan. It also contributes to the implementation of the Rule of Law Roadmap and fulfilling of Ukraine’s EU membership criteria (benchmark 23.4.4), particularly with regard to improving the enforcement of court decisions.
CPLR’s assessment
The most significant innovation of this Law for citizens is the simplification of procedures for paying fines and other debts that do not exceed ten minimum wages (up to UAH 86,470 in 2026). Once such a debt is settled, freezes on bank accounts will be lifted automatically (without any additional decisions or actions by enforcement officers) and the individual’s details will be removed from the Unified Register of Debtors.
Despite the importance of this Law for human rights, the justice sector, anti-corruption, and Ukraine’s European integration, its adoption took a prolonged three years from the registration of the initial draft to final approval. The first government draft № 9363 was registered in Parliament on June 7, 2023. Its first reading took place only 1.5 years later, on November 20, 2023. A further six months later, on May 14, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada refused to adopt the draft as a whole and instead returned it for a repeat second reading. Finally, on August 21, 2025, the draft was rejected.
On 4 September 2025, a revised draft Law № 14005 was registered. It passed its first reading on November 4, 2025, and, subsequently five months later, on April 7, 2026, was adopted.
This prolonged parliamentary process resulted in Ukraine missing the deadline for fulfilling its commitments under the Ukraine Facility Plan. In particular, p. 3.8 required the entry into force by the second quarter (June) of 2025 of legislation governing the enforcement of court decisions (concerning both pecuniary and non-pecuniary obligations) as well as the further digitalization of enforcement proceedings.
Part of these commitments was fulfilled through the adoption of the Law on improving judicial oversight of the enforcement of court decisions (№ 4094-IX of November 21, 2024). However, full compliance with this provision of the Ukraine Facility Plan and the receipt of the corresponding funding from the European Union requires the entry into force of the Law on the digitalization of enforcement proceedings by the end of June 2026.
З Certain challenges may arise in terms of determining the date of the Law’s entry into force. Para. 1 of Section II (“Final Provisions”) provides that the Law as a whole will enter into force six months after its publication (i.e., in the fourth quarter of this year), except for specific transitional provisions that will take effect either upon publication or one month following publication.
This extended timeline is driven by the need for additional technical work, including upgrades to the Automated Enforcement Proceedings System and the establishment of effective data exchange with other state registers.
Notably, the version of the Final Provisions adopted at first reading fully aligned with the timelines set out in the Ukraine Facility Plan. It envisages that the Law would enter into force immediately upon publication, with only certain provisions – primarily those registers operation related – taking effect after six months.
The Government will need to persuade the European Commission that all conditions have been fully met, as nearly €370 million is at stake.
In this context, a proactive approach by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Ministry of Justice, other central executive authorities, the National Bank of Ukraine, and the National Securities and Stock Market Commission will be essential. In particular, the early alignment of secondary legislation with the new Law without waiting for the full three-month period provided for this process, could significantly strengthen Ukraine’s position and reduce implementation risks.
Was this article helpful?
