Topic “judiciary in ukraine”
1. Answer the questions.
1) What types of courts are there in Ukraine?
2) How does their jurisdiction differ?
2. Look at the picture and read what it symbolizes.
This is one of the symbols of justice – the scales of justice, an ancient symbol of equality and fairness, found all over the world in different cultures. The scales weigh the good and the evil, the guilt and the innocence. How does this symbol reflect the nature of justice?
Read the text and fulfill the post-reading tasks.
Judiciary in ukraine
Justice in Ukraine is administered only by courts. The jurisdiction of the courts extends to all legal relations that arise in the state. Courts ensure the protection of human and civil rights and freedoms, rights and interests of legal entities, public and state interests. The courts act under the Constitution of Ukraine and Ukrainian laws, on the basis of the rule of law.
Ukraine’s judicial system consists of courts of general jurisdiction and the Constitutional Court of Ukraine.
Courts of general jurisdiction form the unified system of courts. Under the Constitution of Ukraine, the system of courts of general jurisdiction is formed according to the territorial principle and the principle of specialisation. The Supreme Court of Ukraine is the highest judicial body in the system of courts of general jurisdiction.
The Constitutional Court of Ukraine is a single body of constitutional jurisdiction in Ukraine.
The judicial system ensures access to justice for every person in compliance with the procedure established by the Constitution of Ukraine and Ukrainian laws.
People can participate in the administration of justice as people's assessors and jurors.
Court decisions are taken by the courts in the name of Ukraine and are obligatory for execution on all the territory of Ukraine.
In their work judges must be independent and obey only the law. The independence and immunity of judges are guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of Ukraine.
Professional judges must not belong to political parties or trade unions, take part in any political or business activity, hold any other offices, perform other paid work except for research, teaching, or creative activities.
Vocabulary
judiciary – судоустрій, судова влада, судова система
justice – правосуддя, юстиція, справедливість
to administer justice – відправляти, здійснювати правосуддя
to ensure – забезпечувати
a legal entity – юридична особа
the rule of law – верховенство права
a court of general jurisdiction – суд загальної юрисдикції
a unified system – єдина система
according to smth – згідно з, відповідно до
the highest judicial body – найвищий судовий орган
a single body – єдиний орган
access to justice – доступ до правосуддя
administration of justice – відправлення, здійснення правосуддя
a people’s assessor – народний засідатель
a juror – присяжний засідатель
to be obligatory for execution – бути обов’язковим для виконання
to obey the law – дотримуватись, слідувати
immunity – недоторканність
to belong to – належати
a trade union – профспілка
business activity – підприємницька діяльність
to hold an office – займати посаду
to perform paid work – виконувати оплачувану роботу
COMPREHENSION