Structure and Competence of Magistrate Courts in Volyn Province During the Ukrainian Central Council Governing (March 1917 - April 1918)

Abstract

The article analyzes the structure and competence of magistrate courts of Volyn province during the the Ukrainian Central Council governing (March 1917 - April 1918). The emphasis is laid on the legal status of magistrate courts in the investigated period, and their role in the administration of justice and implementation of legal proceedings. The magistrate courts of the Volyn province in the times of the Ukrainian Central Council were the lowest subdivision in the judicial system and presented the judiciary bodies in the field of minor legal relationships, both criminal and civil. The activity of the magistrate court in Volyn covered a wide range of offenses and was regulated by general imperial laws and resolutions of the Provisional Government. Due to the prudence of their judgments, the magistrates enjoyed great authority among locals, the evidence of which is the extraordinary workload of the courts and the increased amount of cases. In view of the short historical period of existence, the UCC was unable to rebuild the judicial system, which in many respects functioned as in the previous period. In general, the magistrates in the Volyn province provided support for the rule of law and actually effective judicial proceedings.