Article title Implementation of the Rule of Law Principle in Civil Proceedings in the Context of the Reformation of Justice
Authors
Name of magazine Legal journal «Law of Ukraine» (Ukrainian version)
Issue 3/2018
Сторінки [65-78]
DOI https://doi.org/10.33498/louu-2018-03-065
Annotation

The rule of law is a fundamental principle forming the basis of a democratic rule-of-law state and underlying the operation of the judiciary within its framework. The rule of law as a social and natural phenomenon, as a cornerstone principle of Ukraine’s legal and political systems, as a cornerstone principle of the judiciary and as a legal category draws proactive attention of legal professionals. However, recent changes to the laws of procedure of Ukraine, the start of operation of the new Supreme Court and the set up of the latest law enforcement practice significantly changes the approaches to the interpretation of the rule of law principle and the specifics of its application, in particular, in civil proceedings. The purpose of the article is to determine the specific features pertaining to the implementation of the rule of law principle in civil proceedings in the context of the reformation of justice. The article demonstrates that the establishment of the rule of law and the operation of a rule-of-law state are possible where society consistently and uninterruptedly implements such requirements as respect for human rights and freedoms, the rule of the Constitution, the principle of separation of powers, legality, restriction of discretionary powers, the principle of legal certainty, and independence of courts and judges. It is established that the rule of law is the keystone (the fundamental principle) of civil proceedings, and applying it, a court of law ensures a fair, impartial and timely trial and resolution of civil cases with the aim of efficient protection of infringed, unrecognized or disputed rights, freedoms or interests of individuals, rights and interests of legal entities, and interests of the State. There is no universal definition of the rule of law; however, its interpretation is given by the Constitutional Court of Ukraine and the European Court of Human Rights. The article proves that the generally recognized fundamental elements of the rule of law are as follows: (1) legality; (2) legal certainty; (3) prohibition of arbitrariness; (4) access to justice before independent and impartial courts; (5) respect for human rights; (6) nondiscrimination and equality before the law. It is these characteristics of the rule of law that should be taken into account by a court of law while administering justice in civil proceedings.

 

Keywords rule of law; civil proceedings; administration of justice; human rights; justice; legal certainty
References

List of legal documents 
 

Legislation 
1. Cyvilnyi procesualnyi kodeks Ukrainy [The Code of Civil Procedure of Ukraine]: Zakon Ukrainy [the Law of Ukraine] vid 18 bereznia 2004 r. № 1618-IV. Vidomosti Verkhovnoii Rady Ukrainy. 2004. № 40–41, 42. St. 492 (in Ukrainian). 
2. Konstytusiia Ukrainy [The Constitution of Ukraine]: Zakon Ukrainy [the Law of Ukraine] vid 28 chervnia1996 r. № 254k/96-VR.Vidomosti Verkhovnoi Rady Ukrainy. 
1996. № 30. St. 141 (in Ukrainian). 
3. Pro vnesennіa zmin do Hospodarskoho procesualnoho kodeksu Ukrainy, Cyvilnoho procesualnoho kodeksu Ukrainy, Kodeksu administratyvnoho sudochynstva Ukrainy ta inshykh zakonodavchykh aktiv [On Amending the Code of Economic Procedure of Ukraine, the Code of Civil Procedure of Ukraine, the Code of Administrative Procedure of Ukraine and other Pieces of Legislation]: Zakon Ukrainy [the Law of Ukraine] vid 3 zhovtnia 2017 r. № 2147-VIII. Vidomosti Verkhovnoji Rady Ukrainy. 2017. № 48. St. 436 (in Ukrainian). 
4. Pro sudoustrii i status suddiv [On the Judicial System and the Status of Judges]: Zakon Ukrainy [the Law of Ukraine] vid 2 chervnia 2016 r. № 1402-VIII. Vidomosti Verkhovnoi Rady Ukrainy. 2016. № 31. St. 545 (in Ukrainian). 

 

Cases

5. Rishennia Konstytutsiinoho Sudu Ukrainy vid 2 lystopada 2004 r. № 15-rp/2004 za konstytutsiinym podanniam Verkhovnoho Sudu Ukrainy shchodo vidpovidnosti Konstytutsii Ukrainy (konstytutsiinosti) polozhen statti 69 Kryminalnoho kodeksu Ukrainy (u spravi pro pryznachennia sudom bilsh miakoho pokarannia) [Decision of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine Dated November 2, 2004 № 15-rp/2004 in the Case Following the Constitutional Petition of the Supreme Court of Ukraine Concerning the Compliance with the Constitution of Ukraine (Constitutionality) of the Provisions of Article 69 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (in the Case of Sentence Mitigation by Court)] (sprava [Case] № 1-33/2004). URL: http://zakon3.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/ v015p710-04 (accessed: 11.02.2018) (in Ukrainian).

6. Ukhvala apeliatsiinoho sudu Mykolaivskoi oblasti [Ruling of the Court of Appeal in Mykolaiv region] vid 31 sichnia 2018 r. № 71926314 u sudovii spravi [in a Court Case] № 487/2199/17. URL: http://reyestr.court.gov.ua/Review/71926314 (accessed: 17.02.2018) (in Ukrainian).

7. Ukhvala Velykoii Palaty Verkhovnoho Sudu [Ruling of the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court] vid 29 sichnia 2018 r. № 71897500 u sudovii spravi [in a Court Case] № 357/3258/16-ц. URL: http://reyestr.court.gov.ua/Review/71897500 (accessed: 17.02.2018) (in Ukrainian).

8. Ukhvala Verkhovnoho Sudu [Ruling of the Supreme Court] vid 23 sichnia 2018 r. № 71826027 u sudovii spravi [in a Court Case] № 572/1762/15-ц. URL: http://reyestr. court.gov.ua/Review/71826027 (accessed: 17.02.2018) (in Ukrainian).

 

Bibliography

Journal articles

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Websites

19. CDL-AD(2016)007-e Rule of Law Checklist: adopted by the Venice Commission at its 106 plenary session (Venice, 11–12 March 2016) (Council of Europe) <http://www. venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-AD(2016)007-e> accessed 11 February 2018 (in English).

 

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