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During the trial

Posted: 22.11.2025

Updated: 18.12.2025

1.11. victims (including minor victims) in court (e.g., victims’ rights and obligations in court proceedings, representation, participation in criminal proceedings);

Participation of adult victims in court

When criminal proceedings reach court, victims retain all their procedural rights and obligations, as well as the right to participate in the trial, defend their interests, and receive compensation for the harm caused.

Victims’ rights in court (Chapters 97, 400–404, and 14 of the Criminal Procedure Law)

Adult victims have the following rights in court:

To participate and be involved in the proceedings

attend court hearings;
express their opinion on the evidence and circumstances of the case;
ask questions of witnesses, experts, and the accused (with the court’s permission);
provide the court with oral or written victim statements.

Requests and complaints

to submit requests for the addition of evidence, expert opinions, procedural actions;
to bring a civil action within the framework of criminal proceedings for the damage caused;
to submit complaints about court decisions in accordance with the procedure laid down by law.

Receiving information

be informed about the time and course of court hearings;
receive court decisions and explanations thereof.

Victims’ obligations in court (Article 98 of the Criminal Procedure Law)

Adult victims have the following obligations:

attend court hearings upon invitation by the court;
to give truthful testimony and explanations;
to comply with the rules established by the court;
not to disclose information that has been classified as confidential (e.g., details of the investigation or private life).

Unjustified failure to appear may result in compulsory attendance or a fine.

Representation of victims in court (Articles 104-108 of the Criminal Procedure Law)

Victims may be represented in court by:

a lawyer (the most common choice),
an authorized person,
in the case of a legal entity, its legal representative.

A representative may:

attend court hearings in place of or together with the victim,
submit requests, complaints and civil claims,
express an opinion on the evidence.

The victim may choose to participate in person, but retains the right to a representative at any stage of the proceedings.

Participation of the victim in the trial of a criminal case (Articles 400-407 of the Criminal Procedure Law)

At the court hearing, the victim has the right to:

give testimony and explanations in court

the victim may be questioned as a person who has suffered harm;
give explanations about the circumstances and consequences of the offense.

Participate in the evaluation of evidence

request that new evidence be added;
comment on the evidence of the opposing party;
argue about the extent of the harm.

Maintaining a civil claim

The victim may:

file a claim for material and moral damage,
maintain it in court hearings.

Closing arguments

In accordance with the procedure, the victim or his/her representative may participate in court debates, expressing his/her position on the punishment, compensation for damage and the circumstances of the case.

Participation of a minor victim in court

The involvement of a minor victim in court proceedings is ensured in a special, child-friendly manner, taking into account their age, psychological needs and safety.

Rights of minors in court (Articles 97, 99, 400-407 of the Criminal Procedure Law)

Minor victims have rights similar to those of adults, but these are exercised through a legal representative or with special protection:

to participate in court hearings, but in a specially adapted environment;
to give testimony and explanations in the presence of a psychologist or educator;
to be informed of the time, course and decisions of court hearings;
submit requests, complaints, or civil claims represented by a legal representative;
receive protection from possible influence by the suspect or other persons;
request that testimony be recorded by video surveillance so that the child does not have to testify again.

Obligations of minors in court

to give truthful testimony and explanations (with the help of a representative);
to comply with the rules of the court;
not to disclose information that is confidential or protected (e.g., another child’s data, confidential materials).

The obligations are applied in accordance with the child’s age and abilities.

Representation in court (Articles 104-108, 99 of the Criminal Procedure Law)

Minors who are victims are represented in court by:

a legal representative (parent, guardian),
a lawyer, if legal assistance is needed.

If the legal representative could be involved in a conflict of interest, the court will provide a special guardian or other suitable representative.

The representative may participate in the court hearing in place of the child or together with him or her, defending the rights and interests of the victim.

Participation in the trial of a criminal case (Articles 137, 139-155, 400-407 of the Criminal Procedure Law)

The participation of a minor victim is ensured in a considerate manner:

the interrogation takes place in a separate room, is brief and is conducted in a manner that is understandable to the child;
a psychologist or teacher may be present during the interrogation;
the child is not confronted with the suspect if this could cause emotional trauma;
If necessary, video surveillance is used to record testimony.
The victim may participate in other procedural activities (inspections, expert examinations) only if necessary and in a manner that is as gentle as possible.
civil claims may only be filed and pursued through a representative.

What happens in court?

What happens to victims (including minors) in court

For example, the rights and obligations of victims in court proceedings, representation, participation in criminal proceedings) we provide the following information

With regard to victims in criminal proceedings, it should be noted that Article 99 of the Criminal Procedure Law (KPL) sets out the rights of victims in the court of first instance.

Namely, in the court of first instance, the victim has the fundamental rights set out in Article 97.1 of the Criminal Procedure Law, as well as the right to:

be informed in a timely manner of the place and time of the trial;
challenge the composition of the court, an individual judge, the public prosecutor and an expert;
to participate in the examination of the criminal case;
to express their opinion on each issue under discussion;
to participate in the direct and oral examination of each piece of evidence to be examined by the court;
to submit applications;
to speak in court debates;
to familiarize themselves with the court’s decision and the minutes of the court hearing. In addition to the above rights, a specially protected victim has the right to request that their participation or hearing in court take place using technical means.

Article 100 of the Criminal Procedure Law regulates the rights of victims in the court of appeal. If the decision of the court of first instance is appealed in part concerning the criminal offense that caused harm to the victim, the prosecutor shall send the victim copies of the appeal received, and the court of appeal shall notify the victim of the time, place and procedure for considering the appeal. At the court hearing, the victim has the same rights as in the court of first instance, as well as the right to maintain and substantiate their complaint or to withdraw it. However, if a decision is made to hear the case in written proceedings, the victim has the right to challenge the composition of the court or an individual judge, as well as to submit objections to the hearing of the case in written proceedings. The victim has the right to receive the decision of the court of appeal on the date set by the court and to file a cassation complaint.

With regard to the rights of the victim in the cassation court, in accordance with Article 101 of the Criminal Procedure Law, it should be noted that if the decision of the court of appeal is appealed in part in relation to the criminal offense that caused harm to the victim, the prosecutor in the court of appeal shall send copies of the cassation complaint received to the victim, and the court of cassation shall announce the time, place, and procedure for examining the complaint.

If the complaint is examined in writing by the court of cassation, the victim has the right to:

to file an objection to the composition of the court or to an individual judge;
to submit written objections to the complaints of other persons;
to file a reasoned request for the complaint to be examined in oral proceedings in an open court session in his or her presence. When the case is examined in oral proceedings at a court hearing, the victim has the right to file objections, maintain or withdraw their complaint, and express their opinion on other complaints that were the basis for their participation in the cassation court.

At the same time, it should be noted that the answer regarding the victim’s obligations and representation in criminal proceedings was provided in the answer to the first question.

We also inform you that, in accordance with the second part of Article 450 of the Criminal Procedure Law, criminal cases concerning criminal offenses against morality and sexual inviolability and criminal offenses committed by a minor or against a minor, as well as criminal cases in which it is necessary to protect state or adoption secrets.

With regard to the proceedings, it should be noted that Chapter 48 of the Criminal Procedure Law establishes the specifics of the proceedings in the event of a settlement between the victim and the accused. Namely, Article 536 of the Criminal Procedure Law stipulates that the victim and the accused may announce a settlement before the court retires to the deliberation room in cases provided for by law. If the settlement is submitted in writing, it shall be attached to the case file. The settlement must indicate that it has been concluded voluntarily and that the victim understands the consequences of the settlement. If the written settlement is submitted by the accused without the victim being present and the victim is a natural person, the settlement must be certified by a notary or a mediator trained by the State Probation Service. However, if the victim and the accused announce the settlement verbally during the court hearing, the settlement shall be recorded in the minutes of the court hearing and signed by the victim and the accused. It is important to emphasize that before signing the settlement or after receiving the written settlement, the court shall verify that it has been concluded voluntarily and that the victim understands the consequences of the settlement.

At the same time, in accordance with Article 538 of the Criminal Procedure Law, if the victim and the accused announce the settlement before the court retires to the deliberation room, the court may, without examining the case materials, decide to release the accused from criminal liability and terminate the criminal proceedings.

With regard to civil proceedings, it should be noted that the rights and obligations of the parties are regulated by Article 74 of the Civil Procedure Law (hereinafter – CPL).

It should be noted that the parties have the following civil procedural rights:

to examine the case materials, make extracts from them and make copies;
to participate in court hearings;
to file objections;
to submit evidence;
to submit motions;
to provide oral and written explanations to the court;
to express their arguments and considerations;
to raise objections to the motions, arguments, and considerations of other parties to the case;
to appeal court judgments and decisions;
receive copies of judgments, decisions and other documents in the case, as well as exercise other procedural rights granted to them by this law.

In a civil case for compensation for damages, the claimant will be the injured party. Therefore, it should be noted that the claimant is also entitled to:

to withdraw the claim in whole or in part;
to reduce the amount of the claim;
to amend the basis or subject matter of the claim in writing or to increase the amount of the claim before the examination of the case on its merits has commenced (Article 163 of this law).

The parties may also agree to use mediation and conclude a settlement agreement. The parties must exercise their rights and fulfill their obligations in good faith. The parties have the following obligations:

to appear in court when summoned;
to give timely written notice of the reasons for their inability to appear at the court hearing, providing evidence thereof;
to fulfill other procedural obligations imposed on them in accordance with this law.

With regard to representation in court, it should be noted that, in accordance with the second and third paragraphs of Article 72 of the CPL, cases involving natural persons aged between 15 and 18 are conducted in court by their legal representatives. Cases involving natural persons of legal age whose legal capacity has been restricted by a court shall be conducted in court by their representatives or, in cases specified by law, by their representatives together with those persons. In cases conducted by the representatives of the aforementioned persons, the court shall also invite those persons to participate. In turn, cases involving natural persons under the age of 15 shall be conducted in court by their legal representatives.

/Source: Ministry of Justice/

I am a minor. Do I have additional rights?

What happens to victims (including minors) in court

For example, the rights and obligations of victims in court, representation, participation in criminal proceedings) we provide the following information

With regard to victims in criminal proceedings, it should be noted that Article 99 of the Criminal Procedure Law establishes the rights of victims in the court of first instance.

Namely, in the court of first instance, the victim has the fundamental rights set out in Article 97.1 of the Criminal Procedure Law, as well as the right to:

be informed in a timely manner of the place and time of the trial;
challenge the composition of the court, an individual judge, the public prosecutor and an expert;
to participate in the examination of the criminal case;
to express their opinion on each issue under discussion;
to participate in the direct and oral examination of each piece of evidence to be examined by the court;
to submit applications;
to speak in court debates;
to familiarize themselves with the court’s decision and the minutes of the court hearing. In addition to the above rights, a specially protected victim has the right to request that their participation or hearing in court take place using technical means.

Article 100 of the Criminal Procedure Law regulates the rights of victims in the court of appeal. If the decision of the court of first instance is appealed in part concerning the criminal offense that caused harm to the victim, the prosecutor shall send the victim copies of the appeal received, and the court of appeal shall notify the victim of the time, place and procedure for considering the appeal. At the court hearing, the victim has the same rights as in the court of first instance, as well as the right to maintain and substantiate their complaint or to withdraw it. However, if a decision is made to hear the case in written proceedings, the victim has the right to challenge the composition of the court or an individual judge, as well as to submit objections to the hearing of the case in written proceedings. The victim has the right to receive the decision of the court of appeal on the date set by the court and to file a cassation complaint.

With regard to the rights of the victim in the cassation court, in accordance with Article 101 of the Criminal Procedure Law, it should be noted that if the decision of the court of appeal is appealed in part in relation to the criminal offense that caused harm to the victim, the prosecutor in the court of appeal shall send copies of the cassation complaint received to the victim, and the court of cassation shall announce the time, place, and procedure for examining the complaint.

If the complaint is examined in writing by the court of cassation, the victim has the right to:

to file an objection to the composition of the court or to an individual judge;
to submit written objections to the complaints of other persons;
to file a reasoned request for the complaint to be examined in oral proceedings in an open court session in his or her presence. When the case is examined in oral proceedings at a court hearing, the victim has the right to file objections, maintain or withdraw their complaint, and express their opinion on other complaints that were the basis for their participation in the cassation court.

At the same time, it should be noted that the answer regarding the victim’s obligations and representation in criminal proceedings was provided in the answer to the first question.

We also inform you that, in accordance with the second part of Article 450 of the Criminal Procedure Law, criminal cases concerning criminal offenses against morality and sexual inviolability and criminal offenses committed by a minor or against a minor, as well as criminal cases in which it is necessary to protect state or adoption secrets.

With regard to the proceedings, it should be noted that Chapter 48 of the Criminal Procedure Law establishes the specifics of the proceedings in the event of a settlement between the victim and the accused. Namely, Article 536 of the Criminal Procedure Law stipulates that the victim and the accused may announce a settlement before the court retires to the deliberation room in cases provided for by law. If the settlement is submitted in writing, it shall be attached to the case file. The settlement must indicate that it has been concluded voluntarily and that the victim understands the consequences of the settlement. If the written settlement is submitted by the accused without the victim being present and the victim is a natural person, the settlement must be certified by a notary or a mediator trained by the State Probation Service. However, if the victim and the accused announce the settlement verbally during the court hearing, the settlement shall be recorded in the minutes of the court hearing and signed by the victim and the accused. It is important to emphasize that before signing the settlement or after receiving the written settlement, the court shall verify that it has been concluded voluntarily and that the victim understands the consequences of the settlement.

At the same time, in accordance with Article 538 of the Criminal Procedure Law, if the victim and the accused announce the settlement before the court retires to the deliberation room, the court may, without examining the case materials, decide to release the accused from criminal liability and terminate the criminal proceedings.

With regard to civil proceedings, it should be noted that the rights and obligations of the parties are regulated by Article 74 of the Civil Procedure Law (hereinafter – CPL).

It should be noted that the parties have the following civil procedural rights:

to examine the case materials, make extracts from them and make copies;
to participate in court hearings;
to file objections;
to submit evidence;
to submit motions;
to provide oral and written explanations to the court;
to express their arguments and considerations;
to raise objections to the motions, arguments, and considerations of other parties to the case;
to appeal court judgments and decisions;
receive copies of judgments, decisions and other documents in the case, as well as exercise other procedural rights granted to them by this law.

In a civil case for compensation for damages, the claimant will be the injured party. Therefore, it should be noted that the claimant is also entitled to:

to withdraw the claim in whole or in part;
to reduce the amount of the claim;
to amend the basis or subject matter of the claim in writing or to increase the amount of the claim before the examination of the case on its merits has commenced (Article 163 of this law).

The parties may also agree to use mediation and conclude a settlement agreement. The parties must exercise their rights and fulfill their obligations in good faith. The parties have the following obligations:

to appear in court when summoned;
to give timely written notice of the reasons for their inability to appear at the court hearing, providing evidence thereof;
to fulfill other procedural obligations imposed on them in accordance with this law.

With regard to representation in court, it should be noted that, in accordance with the second and third paragraphs of Article 72 of the CPL, cases involving natural persons aged between 15 and 18 are conducted in court by their legal representatives. Cases involving natural persons of legal age whose legal capacity has been restricted by a court shall be conducted in court by their representatives or, in cases specified by law, by their representatives together with those persons. In cases conducted by the representatives of the aforementioned persons, the court shall also invite those persons to participate. In turn, cases involving natural persons under the age of 15 shall be conducted in court by their legal representatives.

/Source: Ministry of Justice/

How can I participate in the trial of a criminal case?

What happens to victims (including minors) in court

For example, the rights and obligations of victims in court, representation, participation in criminal proceedings) we provide the following information

With regard to victims in criminal proceedings, it should be noted that Article 99 of the Criminal Procedure Law establishes the rights of victims in the court of first instance.

Namely, in the court of first instance, the victim has the fundamental rights set out in Article 97.1 of the Criminal Procedure Law, as well as the right to:

be informed in a timely manner of the place and time of the trial;
challenge the composition of the court, an individual judge, the public prosecutor and an expert;
to participate in the examination of the criminal case;
to express their opinion on each issue under discussion;
to participate in the direct and oral examination of each piece of evidence to be examined by the court;
to submit applications;
to speak in court debates;
to familiarize themselves with the court’s decision and the minutes of the court hearing. In addition to the above rights, a specially protected victim has the right to request that their participation or hearing in court take place using technical means.

Article 100 of the Criminal Procedure Law regulates the rights of victims in the court of appeal. If the decision of the court of first instance is appealed in part concerning the criminal offense that caused harm to the victim, the prosecutor shall send the victim copies of the appeal received, and the court of appeal shall notify the victim of the time, place and procedure for considering the appeal. At the court hearing, the victim has the same rights as in the court of first instance, as well as the right to maintain and substantiate their complaint or to withdraw it. However, if a decision is made to hear the case in written proceedings, the victim has the right to challenge the composition of the court or an individual judge, as well as to submit objections to the hearing of the case in written proceedings. The victim has the right to receive the decision of the court of appeal on the date set by the court and to file a cassation complaint.

With regard to the rights of the victim in the cassation court, in accordance with Article 101 of the Criminal Procedure Law, it should be noted that if the decision of the court of appeal is appealed in part in relation to the criminal offense that caused harm to the victim, the prosecutor in the court of appeal shall send copies of the cassation complaint received to the victim, and the court of cassation shall announce the time, place, and procedure for examining the complaint.

If the complaint is examined in writing by the court of cassation, the victim has the right to:

to file an objection to the composition of the court or to an individual judge;
to submit written objections to the complaints of other persons;
to file a reasoned request for the complaint to be examined in oral proceedings in an open court session in his or her presence. When the case is examined in oral proceedings at a court hearing, the victim has the right to file objections, maintain or withdraw their complaint, and express their opinion on other complaints that were the basis for their participation in the cassation court.

At the same time, it should be noted that the answer regarding the victim’s obligations and representation in criminal proceedings was provided in the answer to the first question.

We also inform you that, in accordance with the second part of Article 450 of the Criminal Procedure Law, criminal cases concerning criminal offenses against morality and sexual inviolability and criminal offenses committed by a minor or against a minor, as well as criminal cases in which it is necessary to protect state or adoption secrets.

With regard to the proceedings, it should be noted that Chapter 48 of the Criminal Procedure Law establishes the specifics of the proceedings in the event of a settlement between the victim and the accused. Namely, Article 536 of the Criminal Procedure Law stipulates that the victim and the accused may announce a settlement before the court retires to the deliberation room in cases provided for by law. If the settlement is submitted in writing, it shall be attached to the case file. The settlement must indicate that it has been concluded voluntarily and that the victim understands the consequences of the settlement. If the written settlement is submitted by the accused without the victim being present and the victim is a natural person, the settlement must be certified by a notary or a mediator trained by the State Probation Service. However, if the victim and the accused announce the settlement verbally during the court hearing, the settlement shall be recorded in the minutes of the court hearing and signed by the victim and the accused. It is important to emphasize that before signing the settlement or after receiving the written settlement, the court shall verify that it has been concluded voluntarily and that the victim understands the consequences of the settlement.

At the same time, in accordance with Article 538 of the Criminal Procedure Law, if the victim and the accused announce the settlement before the court retires to the deliberation room, the court may, without examining the case materials, decide to release the accused from criminal liability and terminate the criminal proceedings.

With regard to civil proceedings, it should be noted that the rights and obligations of the parties are regulated by Article 74 of the Civil Procedure Law (hereinafter – CPL).

It should be noted that the parties have the following civil procedural rights:

to examine the case materials, make extracts from them and make copies;
to participate in court hearings;
to file objections;
to submit evidence;
to submit motions;
to provide oral and written explanations to the court;
to express their arguments and considerations;
to raise objections to the motions, arguments, and considerations of other parties to the case;
to appeal court judgments and decisions;
receive copies of judgments, decisions and other documents in the case, as well as exercise other procedural rights granted to them by this law.

In a civil case for compensation for damages, the claimant will be the injured party. Therefore, it should be noted that the claimant is also entitled to:

to withdraw the claim in whole or in part;
to reduce the amount of the claim;
to amend the basis or subject matter of the claim in writing or to increase the amount of the claim before the examination of the case on its merits has commenced (Article 163 of this law).

The parties may also agree to use mediation and conclude a settlement agreement. The parties must exercise their rights and fulfill their obligations in good faith. The parties have the following obligations:

to appear in court when summoned;
to give timely written notice of the reasons for their inability to appear at the court hearing, providing evidence thereof;
to fulfill other procedural obligations imposed on them in accordance with this law.

With regard to representation in court, it should be noted that, in accordance with the second and third paragraphs of Article 72 of the CPL, cases involving natural persons aged between 15 and 18 are conducted in court by their legal representatives. Cases involving natural persons of legal age whose legal capacity has been restricted by a court shall be conducted in court by their representatives or, in cases specified by law, by their representatives together with those persons. In cases conducted by the representatives of the aforementioned persons, the court shall also invite those persons to participate. In turn, cases involving natural persons under the age of 15 shall be conducted in court by their legal representatives.

/Source: Ministry of Justice/