Volodymyr Reshota

I am a Doctor of Law (habil.), a Professor at the Department of Administrative and Financial Law at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, an attorney, and a Senior Research Fellow at the Lviv Laboratory of Human Rights of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine. At the university, I teach Administrative Proceedings Law, Acquisition and Practice of Advocacy Status, and Legal Protection of Drivers’ Rights.

For one month, I conducted research at Freie Universität Berlin under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Torben Ellerbrok. My research focuses on a comparative analysis of admini-strative justice in Germany and Ukraine. Thanks to the extensive collections of the Law Faculty Library at Freie Universität Berlin and the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, I was able to access a vast array of valuable sources, both in print and electronic formats. My library access also allowed me to use resources from other prestigious institutions, including Oxford and Cambridge, where I found many essential materials for my study.

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At Berlin Staatsbibliothek

I read some materials in German, particularly legal commentaries on the Verwaltungs-gerichtsordnung (VwGO), which were especially helpful for understanding the structure and principles of the German administrative court system. However, I focused primarily on English-language sources, as I intend to use them in a future English-language monograph on administrative justice in Europe.

This is a long-term academic project. In the short term, I plan to use both German and English sources for a comparative scientific article on administrative justice and court models in Germany and Ukraine. Although a month was not enough to complete a full-fledged research paper, the sources I gathered will enable me to finalize my work at home. In addition to publishing a scientific article, I plan to incorporate the materials into an English-language monograph, expanding its reach to a broader academic audience and shedding light on critical issues in administrative justice.

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In a lecture

The importance of this research lies in the fact that administrative courts provide citizens with a legal mechanism to defend their rights and freedoms against public authorities. In Ukraine, where martial law is in effect due to the ongoing war, human rights are significantly restricted. In such circumstances, administrative courts often serve as the last – or even the only – instance where individuals can seek justice. Administrative justice is an essential element of a democratic and rule-of-law state, ensuring human rights protection. Therefore, Ukraine must continue to develop its administrative justice system by learning from the experiences of democratic nations, bringing its legal system closer to European standards as part of its EU integration process.

The German model of administrative justice is of particular significance for Ukraine, as Ukraine’s own system was built following the German approach, establishing some specialized administrative courts within the judicial system. Ukraine’s system of admini-strative justice is indeed based on the German model, which has also influenced systems in Austria, Poland, the Baltic countries, and others. In this model, the administrative courts are specialized and structurally separated from the general court system. This contrasts with the French model, where the Conseil d’État (Council of State) serves as the highest administrative authority but is not a court in the traditional sense. In countries like the Netherlands, the system is mixed as administrative matters are sometimes handled by specialized chambers within the general courts.

The German approach, with its long-standing legal tradition and well-structured procedural law, was seen as a strong and effective model when Ukraine developed its own system in the early 2000s. However, this does not mean the systems are identical. In fact, one of the aims of my upcoming article is to highlight key differences and explain how the Ukrainian system has adapted certain elements to fit its own legal and institutional context.

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Together with Prof. Dr. Ellerbrok

Academic Exchange and Insights

Throughout my stay in Berlin, I received valuable insights from my academic advisor, Prof. Dr. Torben Ellerbrok, who as my research counterpart at the FU provided extensive guidance on the German administrative court system. We held numerous formal and informal discussions on the legal and judicial systems of Germany and Ukraine, the legal profession, and teaching methodologies in law schools.

In my research, I focused on several key aspects of administrative justice: on the institutional structure of administrative courts, procedural guarantees for individuals in administrative proceedings, and the role of administrative justice in protecting human rights. I chose these areas because they are essential for ensuring access to justice and the rule of law, especially in countries undergoing democratic transformation, like Ukraine. Understanding how these elements function in a well-established system such as Germany’s provides valuable insights for improving the Ukrainian model, particularly in the context of European integration.

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At Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

I noticed certain differences in the communication culture in comparison to my home institution. At Freie Universität Berlin, communication was generally very structured, concise, and efficient. Meetings and discussions tended to be more formal and goal-oriented, with clear expectations and time frames. While Ukrainian academic culture also values professionalism, interactions at my home institution are often more informal and flexible, sometimes with a stronger emphasis on personal relationships.

This experience was incredibly enriching and even inspired me to consider modifying the format of final exams in administrative law courses for my students. One specific example of how my stay influenced my teaching is that I changed the examination format for my course on Administrative Proceedings Law. Instead of a traditional oral exam, I now ask students to solve a legal case based on a written fact pattern. This approach encourages deeper legal reasoning and reflects teaching methods I observed during my stay in Germany.

Prof. Dr. Torben Ellerbrok also invited me to several social gatherings outside the university, including a dinner, which allowed me to immerse myself in German holiday traditions. Since my visit took place during the winter season, I had the chance to learn about German Christmas and New Year customs firsthand. I warmly cherish these moments and remain grateful to Prof. Dr. Ellerbrok for his generosity and his mentorship. At the Freie Universität Berlin Library, I was warmly welcomed, given a tour, and provided with a detailed orientation on how to navigate library resources and electronic catalogs, which made my research process smooth and efficient. Additionally, while at the university, I attended a guest lecture by Prof. Pablo Holmes from Brazil, titled “Towards a Constitutional Sociology of Property Rights.”

Cultural and Personal Experiences

Beyond my academic work, my stay in Berlin allowed me to explore German traditions, customs, and culture. I was fortunate that my visit coincided with Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, giving me the opportunity to experience Berlin’s great festive atmosphere, visit Christmas markets, and try traditional holiday treats. The overall festive traditions I had the opportunity to discover felt both familiar and distinct. For example, I was impressed by Christmas markets, which are not as prominent in Ukraine. The atmosphere was festive and peaceful. I especially enjoyed trying Stollen, drinking hot chocolate, and tasting Glühwein, which added to the festive atmosphere of the Christmas markets.

This period was incredibly bright, peaceful, and unforgettable. It also provided me with a rare moment of relief from the war-related stress back home – a temporary escape from air raid sirens and missile attacks. For this, I am especially grateful to Dr. Andreas Knaul and the DAAD-Stiftung, as this stay allowed me to feel a sense of peace and safety, even if only for a short time.

The war affects every aspect of life, including our work. It is particularly difficult to maintain daily routines after sleepless nights caused by drone and missile attacks - the explosions are loud and unsettling. Despite this, we are expected to continue working as usual. All public holidays, including New Year, Independence Day, and even Christmas, are now regular working days. As a professor, I try to support my students in maintaining a sense of structure, but I also need to be mindful not to place too many demands on them, as they are living through the same difficult circumstances. Finding the right balance is a constant challenge.

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Luther law firm

Visiting Luther Law Firm

I was also delighted to personally meet Dr. Andreas Knaul, who invited me to visit Luther, one of Germany’s largest law firms, with branches worldwide. The visit left a strong impression, as I had the opportunity to observe the inner workings of a major German law firm.

During a lunch meeting with Dr. Andreas Knaul, Dr. Martin Fleckenstein, Luther employees, and Ukrainian lawyers, we exchanged insights on legal practice, legal education, and professional experiences in both Germany and Ukraine. It was particularly interesting to learn about Luther’s Ukrainian Desk initiative and the support it provides to Ukrainian lawyers and scholars. I truly appreciate this effort and hope to continue collaborating with Dr. Andreas Knaul and Luther in the future.

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Sanssouci Park

Exploring Berlin and Potsdam

I also took the opportunity to explore Berlin, a vast and modern city. I visited Alexanderplatz, walked along Unter den Linden, and saw the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag. It is difficult to say if I had a favorite, as there were many memorable places and moments. But if I had to choose, I would say I especially liked the Berliner Dom, the Christmas market at Alexanderplatz, and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, which impressed me deeply with its half-destroyed structure and symbolic meaning.

Additionally, I had the chance to visit Potsdam, the largest city in Brandenburg, just outside Berlin. One of the highlights was the stunning Sanssouci Park, home to two castles. I was particularly impressed by the grandeur of Frederick the Great’s palace. Unfortunately, visiting during winter meant I didn’t get to see the park in its full beauty, which makes me eager to return in the spring or summer.

I am deeply grateful to Dr. Andreas Knaul, the DAAD-Stiftung and DAAD e.V. team, Freie Universität Berlin, and Prof. Dr. Torben Ellerbrok for providing me with the opportunity to visit Berlin, conduct meaningful research, and experience the city’s culture and traditions. This academic stay not only enhanced my research but also helped me build new personal and professional connections that I hope will serve as the foundation for future collaborations.