THE ECONOMIC SECURITY OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN UKRAINE: LESSONS FROM THE PAST AND PROSPECTS FOR EU INTEGRATION

Abstract

The subject of this study is the economic security of Ukraine's criminal justice system, as seen through the lens of past experiences and prospects for integration into the European Union. This article aims to identify the potential for achieving a satisfactory level of economic security within the criminal justice system in the context of European integration. The methods employed to achieve this objective included hermeneutics, analysis, systemic-structural approaches, and comparative methods. The results of the study underscore the necessity of further developing the system to bolster the economic safeguards of the criminal justice system, especially in anticipation of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. Conclusion. Research has found a close, two-way link between a state’s economic security and that of its justice system, particularly its criminal justice system. This link lies in the interdependence of these two forms of security. The state budget deficit poses a significant threat to the economic security of the judiciary because it is entirely funded through budgetary allocations. In this context, an analysis was conducted of the expenditure side of the state budget for the general needs of the judicial system for the years 2023–2026. This analysis revealed that funding for this sector has increased annually throughout the period under review. The study supports the identification of two fundamental approaches to countering the 'economic starvation' of the criminal justice system: increasing funding for the justice system and the prudent use of resources. The present study examines the impact of the targeted use of international aid received through co-operation with the European Union on ensuring the economic stability of the justice system. In this context, the 'Ukraine Facility' programme, which currently provides financial support for European integration processes, has been highlighted. The article therefore provides an example of how Ukraine’s accession requirements to the European Union can benefit the economic component of the criminal justice system by digitising the judicial system through the introduction and operation of the Unified Judicial Information and Communication System.