About Issue 1 of 2025

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

At Access to Justice in Eastern Europe (AJEE), our mission remains steadfast: to enhance global understanding of Eastern Europe’s legal, social, and political landscapes, and to advance open science and research ethics in scholarly publishing. We believe in promoting rigorous, interdisciplinary inquiry that not only illuminates the realities of legal systems in transition but also shapes constructive dialogue on achieving just and equitable outcomes for individuals and communities. Our commitment extends to nurturing the next generation of legal scholars, ensuring that new voices are heard, and that high-quality research is accessible to readers around the world, free of charge. As always, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest gratitude to our Managing Editors, Peer Reviewers, Language Editors, and Production Service teams, whose dedication, expertise, and meticulous efforts ensure the scholarly integrity and overall quality of AJEE. Their tireless work—ranging from rigorous review processes to careful editorial oversight—has been essential in bringing this issue to fruition and upholding our publication standards. We are delighted to present our new cover, created by Alona Hrytsyk, which visually resonates with the cyclical patterns of existence—generations come and go, the sun rises and sets, and the wind traces its circular routes. In contemplating the reflections from Ecclesiastes on these unceasing cycles, I am reminded that while life’s patterns often repeat, we also encounter moments of profound transformation. This concept lies at the heart of a paradigm shift: as we navigate well-worn paths, our fundamental understanding can—and must—change. In recent days, as reality has formed a new paradigm for our lives, I have found that embracing the idea of such a shift may be key to our ability to adapt. We extend our sincere thanks to Alona Hrytsyk for capturing this delicate interplay between constancy and disruption. May her design serve as a reminder that, even amid life’s familiar rhythms, the potential for radical renewal is always present—and perhaps the very essence of the answer we seek. At the same time, it is crucial to uphold our most fundamental principles, ensuring we preserve what we have so that we may continue to live—and pass on a strong foundation to future generations. Finally, we are delighted to announce updates to our Editorial Board and the expansion of our network of Section Editors. By welcoming new members with diverse specializations, we continue to refine our peer-review procedures and foster interdisciplinary collaboration, all with the aim of delivering the highest-quality content to our readers. We are committed to growing and adapting in order to remain a leading forum for cutting-edge legal scholarship, and we look forward to the insights this expanded team will bring in future issues of AJEE.