The stability constants and coordination modes of the mixed-ligand complexes formed by copper(II) ion and ethylenediamine as a primary ligand and methioninehydroxamic acid (Metha) or histidinehydroxamic acid (Hisha) as a secondary ligand L were determined by potentiometric titration, UV–Vis and EPR spectroscopy. The obtained results suggest the formation of mixed-ligand species in basic solution with 4N coordination – both amine and hydroxamic nitrogens of Metha or Hisha (NH 2 , N ha ) and two amine nitrogens of en (2 × NH 2 ) in the equatorial plane.