Here’s a breakdown of the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECtHR) decision in the case of Voroshylo v. Ukraine:
1. **Essence of the Decision:**
The ECtHR found Ukraine in violation of Article 6 § 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the right to a fair trial. The applicant, Eduard Anatoliyovych Voroshylo, complained that he was not properly notified of the appeal lodged by the opposing party in his case regarding a credit debt collection. Because the Ukrainian courts proceeded with the appeal without ensuring Voroshylo was informed or given an opportunity to respond, the ECtHR ruled that he was denied a fair hearing and equality of arms. The Court referenced its existing case law on similar issues, particularly concerning failures in notification. As a result, Voroshylo was awarded EUR 500 in damages.
2. **Structure and Main Provisions:**
* **Procedure:** The judgment begins by outlining the case’s origin, noting that the application was lodged with the Court on February 7, 2023, and notice was given to the Ukrainian Government.
* **Facts:** This section briefly mentions that the applicant’s details and relevant information are set out in an appended table.
* **The Law:** This is the core of the decision, focusing on the alleged violation of Article 6 § 1 of the Convention.
* The Court reiterates key principles of a fair trial, including the adversarial nature of proceedings and the principle of equality of arms.
* It emphasizes that parties must have the opportunity to know and comment on the other party’s submissions, including appeals.
* The Court refers to previous cases against Ukraine (Strizhak v. Ukraine and Lazarenko and Others v. Ukraine) where similar violations were found.
* Based on the lack of evidence of proper notification, the Court concludes that Ukraine failed to respect the principle of equality of arms.
* **Application of Article 41:** This section addresses just satisfaction. The Court, considering the case details and its precedent, deems it reasonable to award the applicant EUR 500.
* **Operative Part:** The judgment concludes with the Court’s unanimous decision:
* Declares the application admissible.
* Holds that Article 6 § 1 was breached.
* Orders Ukraine to pay the applicant EUR 500 within three months, with interest on any delayed payment.
* **Appendix:** A table summarizes the key details of the application, including the applicant’s information, the nature of the dispute, court dates, the specific irregularity (failure to notify), relevant case law, and the amount awarded.
3. **Main Provisions for Use:**
* **Fair Trial Principles:** The decision reinforces the fundamental principles of a fair trial, particularly the right to be informed of proceedings and the principle of equality of arms.
* **Notification Obligation:** It highlights the obligation of domestic courts to ensure that parties are properly notified of appeals and have an opportunity to respond.
* **Precedent:** The reference to previous cases against Ukraine (Strizhak and Lazarenko) establishes a clear precedent for similar failures in notification.
* **Equality of Arms:** The judgment underscores that denying a party the chance to comment on an appeal undermines the equality of arms and the fairness of the proceedings.
* **Just Satisfaction:** The relatively modest award of EUR 500 provides a benchmark for damages in cases involving similar procedural violations.
**** This decision is relevant to Ukraine, as it highlights a recurring issue within its judicial system regarding the notification of parties in legal proceedings. It serves as a reminder of Ukraine’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights to ensure fair trial standards are met.
