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Based on the analysis of the criminal procedure legislation and generalisation of theoretical developments, the article identifies some peculiarities of legal regulation of the institute of special criminal proceedings (in absentia). The author identifies the categories of cases (types of criminal offences) and procedural grounds which are sufficient to initiate a pre-trial investigation in the form of special criminal proceedings. The need to exclude certain articles from the list of those listed in part 2 of Article 297-1 of the CPC of Ukraine in order to bring them in line with the provisions of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is emphasised. The peculiarities of defence counsel’s participation in special pre-trial investigation and court proceedings are analysed. It is determined that a defence counsel in such cases benefits from all the rights guaranteed to a suspect or an accused person in criminal proceedings. In view of this, and in the context of ensuring such fundamental principles of criminal proceedings as the right to defence, adversarial proceedings, observance of human rights and freedoms, access to justice, etc., the author emphasises the need to amend the current criminal procedure legislation to ensure that the defence counsel can appeal against the investigating judge's decision to conduct a special pre-trial investigation The problematic issues of defence counsel's participation are characterised, and the inadmissibility of his/her formal participation in criminal proceedings is emphasised. It is determined that the active actions to be taken by the defence counsel involved include familiarisation with the case file, choosing the defence position, participation in the trial and examination of evidence, participation in the debates, etc. The author emphasises the need for further research on the development of the practice of active participation of defence counsel in special criminal proceedings.