Within the framework of developing a doctrinal understanding of criminal procedure, the issue of using evaluative concepts is becoming particularly relevant. Evaluative concepts traditionally do not have clear normative boundaries and require interpretation in each specific case of law enforcement. Their uncertainty creates risks for the implementation of the principle of the rule of law and its constituent principles of legal certainty, predictability of law enforcement and protection of human rights. This problem is particularly important in the context of Ukraine’s legal transformation and European integration course, which involves bringing national legislation into line with European standards.

The purpose of this article is to examine the role of the European Court of Human Rights in interpreting and applying evaluative concepts in criminal proceedings, as well as to identify ways in which such practice can serve as a guide for national law enforcement.

The article analyses the normative nature of evaluative concepts used in criminal proceedings in Ukraine (in particular, “reasonable time”, “reasonable suspicion”, “sufficient grounds”, “fair trial”, “necessity of detention”) and establishes that their content is in most cases not defined at the legislative level. The authors argues that it is the practice of the ECHR that is the key compensatory mechanism that allows evaluative concepts to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of the rule of law, legal certainty and the prohibition of arbitrary state interference. The article examines specific precedents of the ECHR (cases Sunday Times v. UK, Fox, Campbell and Hartley v. UK, Letellier v.

France, Liivik v. Estonia, etc.), in which the Court forms consistent approaches and guidelines for the interpretation and application of evaluative categories. It is determined that the practice of the ECHR performs stabilising, methodological and guiding functions in law enforcement, contributing to the unity of judicial practice and strengthening guarantees for the implementation of fair trial.

The article concludes that for the effective application of evaluative concepts, it is necessary to introduce the approaches developed by the ECHR into Ukrainian law enforcement practice. This will allow achieving a balance between the flexibility of legal regulation and legal certainty, as well as strengthening the mechanisms for protecting the rights of individuals in criminal proceedings.

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