CLOSURE OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS ON THE GROUNDS OF EXPIRATION OF THE PRE-TRIAL INVESTIGATION: ANALYSIS OF CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES
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Published:
Apr 1, 2025
Abstract
Abstract. This article analyzes legislative initiatives to improve criminal proceedings in terms of the pre-trial investigation period and the legal consequences of its completion in accordance with the Draft Law “On Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Public Prosecutor's Office’ regarding the removal of obstacles to access to justice for parties to criminal proceedings” No. 12367 of 30.12.2024 and alternative draft laws No. 12367-1 of 08.01.2025, No. 12367-2 of 14.01.2025, No. 12367-3 of 14.01.2025. The author analyzes certain aspects of the development of the statutory regulation of the pre-trial investigation period and the substantive characteristics of the proposed amendments to the criminal procedure legislation. The author presents the positions of scholars, lawyers and representatives of civil society on the proposed changes. It is substantiated that the existing mechanism of closing criminal proceedings on the basis of expiration of the pre-trial investigation term encourages the prosecution to conduct pre-trial investigation within a reasonable time, which is fully consistent with the objectives of criminal proceedings, complies with the provisions of international treaties, the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and meets the general principles of criminal proceedings. Given the systematic analysis of the criminal procedural legislation of Ukraine, the author makes critical remarks on the unreasonable proposals of legislative initiatives.
How to Cite
Kalinnikov, O. (2025). CLOSURE OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS ON THE GROUNDS OF EXPIRATION OF THE PRE-TRIAL INVESTIGATION: ANALYSIS OF CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES. Baltic Journal of Legal and Social Sciences, (1), 16-23. https://doi.org/10.30525/2592-8813-2025-1-2
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Keywords
terms in criminal proceedings, grounds for closing criminal proceedings, suspect, prosecutor, investigating judge, court.
References
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B4%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BC%D1%83%D1%8E%D1%82%D1%8C-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%94%D0%B
A%D1%82-12367-3-%D1%8F%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9-%D1%81%D0%BF%D1%80%D1
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0-%D0%BF%D1%96%D0%B4%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%89%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1
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Other Legislative Acts of Ukraine to Strengthen the Independence of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office: Zakon Ukrainy dated December 08, 2023 No. №3509-IX). Verkhovna Rada Ukrainy: [sait]. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/3509-20#Text (in Ukrainian).
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"On the Prosecutor's Office" to Eliminate Obstacles for Parties to Criminal Proceedings in Access to Justice): Proekt Zakonu Ukrainy №12367 vid 30 hrud. 2024 r. Verkhovna Rada Ukrainy: [sait]. URL: https://itd.rada.gov.ua/billinfo/Bills/Card/55533 (in Ukrainian).
12. Pro vnesennia zmin do Kryminalnoho protsesualnoho kodeksu Ukrainy ta Zakonu Ukrainy «Pro prokuraturu» shchodo usunennia pereshkod dlia storin kryminalnoho provadzhennia u dostupi do pravosuddia (On Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine "On the Prosecutor's Office" to Eliminate Obstacles for Parties to Criminal Proceedings in Access to Justice): Proekt Zakonu Ukrainy №12367-1 vid 08 sich. 2025 r. Verkhovna Rada Ukrainy: [sait]. URL: https://itd.rada.gov.ua/billinfo/Bills/Card/55565 (in Ukrainian).
13. Pro vnesennia zmin do Kryminalnoho protsesualnoho kodeksu Ukrainy ta Zakonu Ukrainy «Pro prokuraturu» shchodo usunennia pereshkod dlia storin kryminalnoho provadzhennia u dostupi do pravosuddia (On Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine "On the Prosecutor's Office" to Eliminate Obstacles for Parties to Criminal Proceedings in Access to Justice): Proekt Zakonu Ukrainy №12367-2 vid 14 sich. 2025 r. Verkhovna Rada Ukrainy: [sait]. URL: https://itd.rada.gov.ua/billinfo/Bills/Card/55615 (in Ukrainian).
14. Pro vnesennia zmin do Kryminalnoho protsesualnoho kodeksu Ukrainy ta Zakonu Ukrainy «Pro prokuraturu» shchodo usunennia pereshkod dlia storin kryminalnoho provadzhennia u dostupi do pravosuddia (On Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine "On the Prosecutor's Office" to Eliminate Obstacles for Parties to Criminal Proceedings in Access to Justice): Proekt Zakonu Ukrainy №12367-3 vid 14 sich. 2025 r. Verkhovna Rada Ukrainy: [sait]. URL: https://itd.rada.gov.ua/billinfo/Bills/Card/55616 (in Ukrainian).
15. Pelikhos Ye. (2025). Stroky slidstvu zavazhaiut?! (Are deadlines hindering the investigation?!). URL: https://zib.com.ua/ua/164906-kabmin_obrav_pomilkovu_strategiyu_schodo_pokraschennya_rezul.html (in Ukrainian)
16. Postavnova Verkhovnoho Sudu vid 24 trav. 2021 r. u spravi N 640/5023/19 (provadzhennia N 51-2917kmo20). Yedynyi derzhavnyi reiestr sudovykh rishen : [sait]. URL: https://reyestr.court.gov. ua/Review/97286253 (in Ukrainian).
17. Ponomarenko D. (2025). Stroky DR ta yikh prodovzhennia: mizh efektyvnistiu dosudovoho rozsliduvanniam ta zakhystom prav pidozriuvanykh (Pretrial detention periods and their extension: between the effectiveness of pre-trial investigation and the protection of suspects' rights). URL:
https://zib.com.ua/ua/165085-stroki_dr_ta_ih_prodovzhennya_mizh_efektivnistyu_dosudovogo_.html (in Ukrainian)
18. Prasad A. (2025). Biznes-spilnota zaklykala Verkhovnu Radu ne ukhvaliuvaty proiekty zakonu pro skasuvannia «pravok Lozovoho» (The business community called on the Verkhovna Rada not to adopt draft laws on the repeal of the "Lozovoi amendments"). URL: https://forbes.ua/news/biznesspilnota-
zaklikala-verkhovnu-radu-ne-ukhvalyuvati-proekti-zakonu-pro-skasuvannya-pravoklozovogo-16012025-26334#:~:text=Кабінет%20міністрів%20виніс%20на%20розгляд,у%20рамках%20програми%20розширеного%20фінансування (in Ukrainian)..
19. Zinkovskyi I. (2018). Stroky dosudovoho rozsliduvannia: problemy zastosuvannia onovlenykh norm kryminalnoho protsesualnoho kodeksu Ukrainy (Pre-trial investigation deadlines: problems of applying the updated norms of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine). Visnyk Natsionalnoi akademii prokuratury Ukrainy, 2018, 2(54), s. 86–96 (in Ukrainian).
2. Case of Wemhoff v. Germany (№ 2122/64) : rishennia Yevropeiskoho sudu z prav liudyny vid 27 cherv. 1964 r. European Court of Human Rights : [сайт]. URL: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-57595%22]}
3. Drozdov O., Drozdova O. (2017) Analitychnyi ohliad okremykh zmin do Kryminalnoho protsesualnoho kodeksu Ukrainy, pryiniatykh zakonom № 2147-VIII. (Analytical review of individual amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, adopted by Law No. 2147-VIII). URL: https://unba.org.ua/publications/2853-analitichnij-oglyad- (in Ukrainian).
4. Fomin I. (2023) Dlia efektyvnoho rozsliduvannia NABU ta SAP maiut buty obmezheni strokamy (For effective investigations, NABU and SAPO should be limited by time limits). URL: https://unba.org.ua/publications/8565-dlya-efektivnogo-rozsliduvannya-nabu-ta-sap-mayut-buti-obmezhenistrokami.html (in Ukrainian).
5. Konventsiia pro zakhyst prav liudyny i osnovopolozhnykh svobod: pidpysana v Rymi 4 lystop. 1950 r. [Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms]. Verkhovna Rada Ukrainy: [sait]. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/995_004#Text.
6. Kryminalnyi protsesualnyi kodeks Ukrainy : Zakon Ukrainy vid 13 kvit. 2012 r. № 4651-VI [Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine: Law of Ukraine dated April 13, 2012 No. 4651-VI]. Verkhovna Rada Ukrainy: [sait]. URL: http://zakon2.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/4651-17 [in Ukrainian].
7. Mamchenko M. (2025). Zakonoproekt pro vykliuchennia zakinchennia strokiv dosudovoho rozsliduvannia pislia povidomlennia pro pidozru yak pidstavy dlia zakryttia provadzhennia vidpovidaie mizhnarodnym zoboviazanniam – Olha Stefanishyna (The draft law on excluding the expiration of the pre-trial investigation period after the notification of suspicion as a basis for closing the proceedings complies with international obligations – Olga Stefanishyna). URL: https://sud.ua/uk/news/publication/320544-zakonoproekt-ob-isklyuchenii-istecheniya-srokov-dosudebnogorassledovaniya-posle-uvedomleniya-o-podozrenii-kak-osnovaniya-dlya-zakrytiya-proizvodstvaotvechaet-mezhdunarodnym-obyazatelstvam-olga-stefanishina#google_vignette (in Ukrainian).
8. NABU i SAP pidtrymuiut zakonoproiekt №12367-3 (NABU and SAP support draft law No. 12367-3) vid 15 sich. 2025 r. URL: https://www.facebook.com/nabu.gov.ua/posts/%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%B1%D1%83-%D1%96-%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BF-%D0%BF%D1%96%D0%
B4%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BC%D1%83%D1%8E%D1%82%D1%8C-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%94%D0%B
A%D1%82-12367-3-%D1%8F%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9-%D1%81%D0%BF%D1%80%D1
%8F%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B9-%D0%BD%D0%B-
0-%D0%BF%D1%96%D0%B4%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%89%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1
%8F-%D0%B5%D1%84%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%82/1023971859777278/ (in Ukrainian).
9. Pro vnesennia zmin do Hospodarskoho protsesualnoho kodeksu Ukrainy, Tsyvilnoho protsesualnoho kodeksu Ukrainy, Kodeksu administratyvnoho sudochynstva Ukrainy ta inshykh zakonodavchykh aktiv: Zakon Ukrainy vid 03 zhovt. 2017 r. № 2147-VIII (On Amendments to the Commercial Procedural Code of Ukraine, the Civil Procedural Code of Ukraine, the Code of Administrative Procedure of Ukraine and Other Legislative Acts: Law of Ukraine dated October 03, 2017 No. 2147-VIII). Verkhovna Rada Ukrainy: [sait]. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2147-19 (in Ukrainian).
10. Pro vnesennia zmin do Kryminalnoho protsesualnoho kodeksu Ukrainy ta inshykh zakonodavchykh aktiv Ukrainy shchodo posylennia samostiinosti Spetsializovanoi antykoruptsiinoi prokuratury №3509-IX vid 08 hrud. 2023 r. (On Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine and
Other Legislative Acts of Ukraine to Strengthen the Independence of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office: Zakon Ukrainy dated December 08, 2023 No. №3509-IX). Verkhovna Rada Ukrainy: [sait]. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/3509-20#Text (in Ukrainian).
11. Pro vnesennia zmin do Kryminalnoho protsesualnoho kodeksu Ukrainy ta Zakonu Ukrainy «Pro prokuraturu» shchodo usunennia pereshkod dlia storin kryminalnoho provadzhennia u dostupi do pravosuddia (On Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine
"On the Prosecutor's Office" to Eliminate Obstacles for Parties to Criminal Proceedings in Access to Justice): Proekt Zakonu Ukrainy №12367 vid 30 hrud. 2024 r. Verkhovna Rada Ukrainy: [sait]. URL: https://itd.rada.gov.ua/billinfo/Bills/Card/55533 (in Ukrainian).
12. Pro vnesennia zmin do Kryminalnoho protsesualnoho kodeksu Ukrainy ta Zakonu Ukrainy «Pro prokuraturu» shchodo usunennia pereshkod dlia storin kryminalnoho provadzhennia u dostupi do pravosuddia (On Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine "On the Prosecutor's Office" to Eliminate Obstacles for Parties to Criminal Proceedings in Access to Justice): Proekt Zakonu Ukrainy №12367-1 vid 08 sich. 2025 r. Verkhovna Rada Ukrainy: [sait]. URL: https://itd.rada.gov.ua/billinfo/Bills/Card/55565 (in Ukrainian).
13. Pro vnesennia zmin do Kryminalnoho protsesualnoho kodeksu Ukrainy ta Zakonu Ukrainy «Pro prokuraturu» shchodo usunennia pereshkod dlia storin kryminalnoho provadzhennia u dostupi do pravosuddia (On Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine "On the Prosecutor's Office" to Eliminate Obstacles for Parties to Criminal Proceedings in Access to Justice): Proekt Zakonu Ukrainy №12367-2 vid 14 sich. 2025 r. Verkhovna Rada Ukrainy: [sait]. URL: https://itd.rada.gov.ua/billinfo/Bills/Card/55615 (in Ukrainian).
14. Pro vnesennia zmin do Kryminalnoho protsesualnoho kodeksu Ukrainy ta Zakonu Ukrainy «Pro prokuraturu» shchodo usunennia pereshkod dlia storin kryminalnoho provadzhennia u dostupi do pravosuddia (On Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine "On the Prosecutor's Office" to Eliminate Obstacles for Parties to Criminal Proceedings in Access to Justice): Proekt Zakonu Ukrainy №12367-3 vid 14 sich. 2025 r. Verkhovna Rada Ukrainy: [sait]. URL: https://itd.rada.gov.ua/billinfo/Bills/Card/55616 (in Ukrainian).
15. Pelikhos Ye. (2025). Stroky slidstvu zavazhaiut?! (Are deadlines hindering the investigation?!). URL: https://zib.com.ua/ua/164906-kabmin_obrav_pomilkovu_strategiyu_schodo_pokraschennya_rezul.html (in Ukrainian)
16. Postavnova Verkhovnoho Sudu vid 24 trav. 2021 r. u spravi N 640/5023/19 (provadzhennia N 51-2917kmo20). Yedynyi derzhavnyi reiestr sudovykh rishen : [sait]. URL: https://reyestr.court.gov. ua/Review/97286253 (in Ukrainian).
17. Ponomarenko D. (2025). Stroky DR ta yikh prodovzhennia: mizh efektyvnistiu dosudovoho rozsliduvanniam ta zakhystom prav pidozriuvanykh (Pretrial detention periods and their extension: between the effectiveness of pre-trial investigation and the protection of suspects' rights). URL:
https://zib.com.ua/ua/165085-stroki_dr_ta_ih_prodovzhennya_mizh_efektivnistyu_dosudovogo_.html (in Ukrainian)
18. Prasad A. (2025). Biznes-spilnota zaklykala Verkhovnu Radu ne ukhvaliuvaty proiekty zakonu pro skasuvannia «pravok Lozovoho» (The business community called on the Verkhovna Rada not to adopt draft laws on the repeal of the "Lozovoi amendments"). URL: https://forbes.ua/news/biznesspilnota-
zaklikala-verkhovnu-radu-ne-ukhvalyuvati-proekti-zakonu-pro-skasuvannya-pravoklozovogo-16012025-26334#:~:text=Кабінет%20міністрів%20виніс%20на%20розгляд,у%20рамках%20програми%20розширеного%20фінансування (in Ukrainian)..
19. Zinkovskyi I. (2018). Stroky dosudovoho rozsliduvannia: problemy zastosuvannia onovlenykh norm kryminalnoho protsesualnoho kodeksu Ukrainy (Pre-trial investigation deadlines: problems of applying the updated norms of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine). Visnyk Natsionalnoi akademii prokuratury Ukrainy, 2018, 2(54), s. 86–96 (in Ukrainian).