European Court Judges Will Assume Leadership Roles
As of November 1, 2026, Mykola Hnatovskyi and Frédéric Krenc will take on new responsibilities as Section Presidents.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in People
The European Court of Human Rights has elected Mykola Hnatovskyi and Frédéric Krenc to serve as Section Presidents, with both judges set to assume their new duties on November 1, 2026. This administrative transition follows the broader development of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
Why it matters
These appointments provide stability in leadership for the Court as it navigates complex international legal frameworks, including the recent establishment of the Special Tribunal. For global entities, monitoring these leadership shifts is essential for understanding how institutional priorities may evolve.
Thirty-seven states have now approved the Enlarged Partial Agreement to establish a Steering Committee for the Special Tribunal. This multi-state cooperation supports the broader jurisdictional framework involving the Netherlands as the proposed host.
The players
Mykola Hnatovskyi
An international jurist elected as a judge from Ukraine in 2022 who will begin a term as a Section President.
Frédéric Krenc
A Belgian judge appointed to the European Court of Human Rights who will serve as a Section President.
Council of Europe
An international organization focused on upholding human rights and democracy that manages the Court and recently launched a special tribunal.
The details
The European Court of Human Rights utilized an internal election process to select these new Section Presidents. Mykola Hnatovskyi, who has served as a judge from Ukraine since June 2022, will lead alongside Belgian judge Frédéric Krenc. Their oversight roles coincide with the ongoing development of the Special Tribunal, which was officially launched by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on May 15, 2026.
Timeline
Mykola Hnatovskyi was elected as a judge from Ukraine in 2022.
Hnatovskyi began adjudicating cases at the European Court of Human Rights in June 2022.
Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Alain Berset signed an agreement to establish the Special Tribunal in June 2025.
The Council of Europe launched the special tribunal stage on May 15, 2026.
Hnatovskyi and Krenc assume their duties as Section Presidents on November 1, 2026.
Market Landscape
These leadership changes follow the formal pattern set by the 37-state approval of the Enlarged Partial Agreement for the Special Tribunal. The move reflects an alignment between the Court's administrative structure and the evolving international legal architecture.
Operators with exposure to international legal proceedings should note the leadership shift effective November 1, 2026. Monitor upcoming procedural updates from the Court that may influence jurisdictional interpretations.
The takeaway
The election of these judges signals a steady management transition within the European Court of Human Rights as it supports new international tribunal efforts. Keep track of the November 1, 2026, start date to identify potential changes in case management and procedural priorities.
Further reading
For more on professional appointments and career shifts, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Rubryka.
