[New Mock Trial] Specialised Judicial Training Series for Ukrainian Courts, 3rd edition, May -July 2026

Online sessions: 
In May 2026, the T.M.C. Asser Institute, together with the National School of Judges of Ukraine, launched the 3rd edition of the Specialised Judicial Training Series (SJTS) for the Ukrainian Judiciary. This edition builds on the insights and experiences of co-designing and co-delivering trainings on topics of international criminal law (ICL) and the adjudication of international crimes that are most relevant and impactful for the work of the Ukrainian judiciary. These trainings have been delivered under the Knowledge Hub on International Criminal Law for the Ukrainian Judiciary, a joint endeavour of the Asser Institute, European Union Advisory Mission to Ukraine (EUAM), and several training and judicial governance bodies in Ukraine, as well as with the support and collaboration of a dedicated team of Ukrainian judges from courts and regions most affected by the conflict.

The 2026 edition included seven (7) thematic (2-hour) online sessions, which were held on a weekly basis, and concluded with a 70-minute evaluation exam on the 17th June. The thematic focus was on civilian-detention related patterns of international crimes, including torture, sexual violence, unlawful detention, and enforced disappearance (for the substantive ICL topics), as well as more technical and procedural topics, such as the assessment of digital evidence, perpetrator typologies/ modes of liability and linkage evidence, trauma-informed judicial practices, and finally the assessment of witness evidence and forensic medical evidence. This choice of topics was determined in consultation with Ukrainian beneficiaries and made to reflect domestic judicial practice and investigative and prosecutorial developments. The judges and other relevant court staff, as well as a number of other stakeholders, including defence lawyers and academic staff, were supported to better analyse how detention-related conduct may be qualified as war crimes and/or crimes against humanity, depending on the facts and evidence.

After seven weeks of online sessions bringing together more than 50 participants, the 3rd edition of the SJTS programme is moving into its final phase: an in-person Mock Trial for a group of 20 participants, selected based on their strong exam results, consistent course attendance and relevant professional experience in adjudicating or handling international crimes cases.

Mock Trial on 9-10 July 2026:
The Mock Trial is based on a fictional but realistic scenario involving a pattern of civilian detention-related crimes committed across multiple detention facilities operating within the same geographic area and time period. The case file reflects how civilians were detained in different locations, under comparable conditions and practices, allowing participants to assess detention and the unlawful conduct not as an isolated incident but as a recurrent and organised pattern of conduct.

It marks the culmination of the programme and reflects its continued emphasis on practice-oriented/ experiential learning. This practical exercise encourages participants to apply the knowledge gained during the online sessions in a simulated courtroom setting. The Mock Trial is structured over 2 days, aiming to allow participants to apply the substantive and procedural insights and knowledge they strengthened over the course of the online series. They will engage with both international and national experts, including judges, legal practitioners, a phycologist/victim and trauma expert, as well as an OSINT expert.  

More information: 
Additional information about the topic of the fictional case for the Mock Trial, as well as other practical details, can be found in the attached programme. It can be accessed by clicking on this icon

[About project] Restoring Dignity and Justice in Ukraine: Phase II 
The training series is a part of the ‘Restoring Dignity and Justice in Ukraine: Phase II' programme, focusing on advancing accountability for international crimes committed in Ukraine. The programme is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.