Legal Basis for the Formation of Kyiv Judicial Chamber

Abstract

The article considers the key reasons and preconditions for judicial reforms of 1864 in Russian Empire and foundation of Kyiv Judicial Chamber. Among them the author differentiates the following ones: the crisis of the judicial system of Russian Empire, lack of legal framework for the judiciary system, necessity of overcoming bribery in courts, arbitrariness of the officials, their legal illiteracy. The system was characterized by the multiplicity of judicial institutions, procedural complexity and confusion, inability to determine the competences of the judicial bodies. Tortures, ill-treatment of prisoners, system of formal evidences, the inquisitorial trial processes contributed to the need for reform the judicial system in the country. Kyiv Judicial Chamber was an integral part of the Russian Empire judiciary under new legislature regulated by Judicial Charter of 20, November 1864. Kyiv Judicial Chamber was established as an appellate judicial body for district courts of Kyiv, Volyn, Chernigiv and Mohgyliov provinces and was inaugurated in 1880. Kyiv Judicial Chamber consisted of criminal and two civil departments, later two more civil departments were added.