Russian Federation: legal agencies of the executive branch

The Ministry of Justice* of Russia exercises* important coordinating functions in the legal field, but it is not a law enforcement agency like the US Department of Justice. It is an executive agency that provides administrative support for the courts with the formally stated purpose of improving the administration of justice and making judicial administration more efficient.

The Ministry is directly involved* in systemization and codification of the laws. It directs the activities of notarial and official registry offices*, forensic centers* and laboratories. The Ministry promotes the development of legal science. The Ministry trains legal personnel for courts and runs courses of continuing legal education for judges.

The state Legal Department of the President* is an extra-constitutional body was established approximately three years ago that functions as advisor to the President on legal policy. Since its formation it has become very active in issues involving reform of the judiciary and criminal law.

Law enforcement functions are performed by the Procurator General's Office* (procuratura) with subordinate agencies in cities and provinces, by the Ministry of Internal Affairs with subordinate agencies, and by the Federal Counterintelligence Service*. The Procurator's office supervises the legality in the activities of all law enforcement agencies, investigates crimes and prosecutes criminals.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs* is the headquarters of all police agencies (called "militia" in Russia), but this ministry also runs correctional institutions* and fire forces*, and performs some administrative functions. The Federal Counterintelligence investigates Courtly with other agencies or separately) organized crime and terrorist acts.

Notes

the Ministry of Justice — Министерство юстиции exercise — осуществлять

is involved in - вовлечено в

notarial and official registry offices - нотариальные конторы и

официальные регистрационные учреждения forensic centers — судебные учреждения the State Legal Department of the President — Государственная

правовая комиссия при Президенте. Procurator General's Office — Генеральная прокуратура the Federal Counterintelligence Service - ФСБ the Ministry of Internal Affairs — Министерство внутренних дел correctional institutions - исправительные учреждения fire forces — пожарные силы

Ответьте на вопросы.

1. How are courts classified?

2. How are courts of superior jurisdiction called?

3. How are courts of inferior jurisdiction referred to?

4. What do civil and criminal courts deal with?

5. When did the first courts appear?

6. In what forms did early courts exist?

7. Were judicial and executive functions differentiated or not in the
civilizations of the ancient worlds?

8. How did the judicial system of ancient Athens work?

9. In what position was jurisdiction in ancient Rome?

 

10. How did the medieval courts grow?

11. Speak on the appearance and role of the Magna Carta.

12. What function was confined to the House of Lords?

13. Speak about the Code Napoleon

14. How is justice dispensed in some Islamic Countries?

15. Enumerate the main functions of the US Supreme Court?

16. What power has Congress concerning the Supreme Court?

17. Give the structure of the Supreme Court.

18. In what two cases has the Supreme Court direct jurisdiction?

19. How can courts be created in the U.K.?

20. Describe the functions of the magistrates' courts, the Crown Court,
the Court of Appeal in the U.K.

21. What offences are tried by the magistrates themselves?

22. Where are the most serious offences tried?

23. Speak about youth courts, the Crown Court, Civil Courts.

24. What two principal systems do courts in the United States comprise?

 

25. What are the US federal Courts and their functions?

26. What are the US State Courts and their functions?

27. Who appoints and approves the Constitutional Court in the RF?

28. Who composes the Constitutional Court?

29. What does the Supreme Court rule on?

30. Give the structure of the Supreme Court.

31. What are the functions of the Ministry of Justice of Russia?

32. In what way is the Ministry involved in legal activities?

33. When and why was the state Legal Department of the President
established?

34. By whom are law enforcement functions performed?

35. What does the Ministry of Internal affairs run?

Unit Six