III. Vocabulary list

extensive – обширний, далекосяжний

embrace – охоплювати, включати

peculiarity – особливість, специфічність

to cancel – анулювати, скасовувати

principal – головний, основний

make it binding ( on) – зoбов’язує

ensure – гарантувати, забезпечувати

to hand – передавати, вручати

conviction – засудження, визнати винним

complexity – складність , заплутаність

fair - справедливий

circumstance - випадок, обставина

evidence - докази

preliminary investigation – попереднє розслідування

tо violate the law – порушувати закон

penalty - покарання . штраф

provide (for) - передбачати

IV. Find the Ukrainian in the right hand column for the following :

1. serious offences	a. висновки
2. to cancel a verdict	b. бути рівним перед законом
3. the observance of laws	c. збирати докази
4. executive organs	d. рішення суду
5. officials	e. правопорушення
6. to collect evidence	f. дотримання заповітів
7. the sentence of the court	g. скасувати рішення суду
8. conclusion	h. виконавчі органи
9. offences	i. вирок суду
10. to be equal before the law	j. посадові особи

V. Complete the following sentences.

1. It embrace all spheres …………..

2. It is very important to know ……….

3. The most serious offences are …………

4. The Supreme Court of Ukraine only examines ………

5. The legality of the courts activities is controlled ………

6. The procurator has no right …………

7. The Procurator General of Ukraine is appointed ………

8. In most criminal cases the court hearing is protected ……….

9. In cases provided for by the law, the court alone has ……….

10. All citizens of Ukraine are ……..

VI. Ask these questions and answer them:

1. What are the main types of courts in the Ukrainian court system?

2. What does legal procedure system consist of?

3. What functions do local courts carry out?

4. What is a court?

5. What institution settles disputes through a legal process?

6. What role does a court play in the life of a society?

7. Are the judges of the Supreme Court elected or appointed?

8. Are the judges of District Courts appointed in Ukraine?

9. Who appoints the Procurator General of Ukraine ?

10. What cases does the Supreme Court examine?

How many judges are there in the constitutional court?

I. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:

inherit – успадкувати, judiciary – суд, судова влада, судоустрій,

counterpart – тут колега,back – тут підтримати, create – створити,

insulate – ізолювати, відокремити, requirement – вимога, severity – жорстокість, appeal – подавати апеляційну скаргу, interpreter – тлумач, інтерпретатор, presidential edict – указ президента

II. Read and translate the text.

Ukraine's judicial system was inherited from the Soviet Union and the former Ukrainian SSR. It had many problems and most notably a corrupt and politicised judiciary.

In the early 1990s it was a key problem and a number of programmes was established to improve the performance of the judiciary. A Ukraine-Ohio Rule of Law Program was established in 1994 which brought together lawyers and judges from the American state of Ohio, including members of the Ohio Supreme Court, with their Ukrainian counterparts. The United States Agency for International Development supported these and other initiatives, which were also backed by European governments and international organisations.

Major changes were made to the judicial system when the law "On the court system" was passed on 7 February 2002, creating a new level of judiciary and enacting institutional safeguards to insulate judges from political pressure.

In July 2001, a series of laws was passed designed to bring existing legislation regarding the judiciary and the administration of justice more in line with the requirements for an independent judiciary. The three levels of courts are rayon (also known as regional or people's courts), oblast (provincial) courts, and the Supreme Court. All three levels serve as courts of first instance, the choice of level varying with the severity of the crime. A case heard in first instance at the rayon level can be appealed through the next two higher stages. A case heard in first instance in the Supreme Court is not subject to appeal or review. A 1992 law added a Constitutional Court to the existing system. The Constitutional Court consists of 18 members appointed for 9-year terms. It is the final interpreter of legislation and the constitution, and it determines the constitutionality of legislation, presidential edicts, cabinet acts, and acts of the Crimean autonomous republic.