III. Agree or disagree:

1. Ukraine's judicial system was inherited from the Soviet Union and the former Ukrainian SSR.

2. A Ukraine-Ohio Rule of Law Program was established in 1994 which brought together lawyers and judges from the American state of Ohio with their Ukrainian counterparts.

3. Major changes were made to the judicial system when the law "On the court system" was passed on 7 February 2006.

4. A new level of judiciary was created enacting institutional safeguards to insulate judges from political pressure.

5. The two levels of courts are oblast courts, and the Supreme Court.

6. All three levels serve as courts of second instance.

7. The choice of court level varies with the severity of the crime.

8. A case heard in first instance at the rayon level can be appealed through the next two higher stages.

9. A 1992 law added a Constitutional Court to the existing system.

10. The Constitutional Court 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.

IV. Answer the questions:

1. What is a Ukraine-Ohio Rule of Law Program?

2. What major changes were made to the judicial system when the law "On the court system" was passed on 7 February 2002?

3. What kinds of courts are there in Ukraine?

4. When was a Constitutional Court added to the existing system? How many judges are there?

5. What are the tasks of the Constitutional Court?

How many judges are there in the supreme court of ukraine?

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

carry out – виконувати, judicature – судочинство, rapid – швидкий,

prevalence – поширення, панування, переважання, the Chairman – голова, the first Deputy – перший заступник, assessor – експерт, консультант при суді, on the assumption – виходячи з припущення, permanently – постійно, on the submit – за пропозицією

II. Read and translate the text.

The highest judicial body of Ukraine – Supreme Court of USSR started since March 11, 1923. The history of the activity of judicial bodies of Ukraine as well as the Supreme Court of Ukraine was not a simple one. Previously the courts carried out functions determined by government. Proclamation of the Ukrainian sovereign, legal democratic state has fundamentally changed the status of courts and judges.

To reform the judicial system and judicature – is not a simple and rapid process particularly taking into account existing problems in the state. But the Constitution of Ukraine determines the guidelines. The Supreme Court of Ukraine is the highest judicial body in the system of general courts and on this basis provides by its activity the law, right and justice prevalence in the society.

The Supreme Court of Ukraine consists of the Chairman, his first Deputy, three Deputies of the Chairman, members of the Supreme Court and assessors. The Constitution of Ukraine does not restrict the number of judges in the Supreme Court. Necessary number of its judges is to be determined by the body, which elects them on the assumption of authorities carried out by this body of judicial power. According to the list, the Supreme Court of Ukraine comprises now 85 judges. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine permanently elects judges of the Supreme Court of Ukraine. The Chairman of the Court and his deputies are elected to office by Plenary of the Supreme Court of Ukraine from among its judges for a five-year term by secret vote. Presidency of the Supreme Court of Ukraine on the submit of the Chairman approves: the first Deputy from among deputies of the Chairman of the Supreme Court of Ukraine, and heads of Judicial Collegium from among deputies of the Chairman or members of the SCU.