IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RIGHT TO AN IMPARTIAL TRIAL AS A VECTOR OF THE RULE OF LAW: EUROPEAN STANDARDS AND UKRAINIAN EXPERIENCE

The right to an impartial trial is one of the most important principles of the administration of justice, and its significance and necessity to the rule of law is recognised and observed at both an international and national level. If judges fail to adhere to the principle of impartiality and favour one of the parties during the proceedings, doubt is cast on the right to a fair trial and the expectation that a decision will be made on the merits of the case guaranteed by international law. This article will examine the issue within the context of the Ukrainian legal system and offer substantiated conclusions on efforts to bring the country into line with international and European standards. The text will analyse the challenges involved in reforming the Ukrainian judicial system and investigate the experience of European countries in ensuring an impartial trial by conducting an analysis of international and national legislation and the existing practice of the ECHR. The research applies the methodologies of analysis and synthesis, an examination of comparative and formal legal methods and legal interpretation within the context of the implementation of the right to an impartial trial as a direct demonstration of the rule of law.