Лектори докладно проаналізували разом з учасниками судову систему США, України, Канади та Австралії, а саме:

1. Constitutional and Institutional Foundations of Judicial Power.

2. Structure and Hierarchy of Courts in EU and US.

3. Enforcement, Remedies, and Practical Implications for Lawyers.

4. An overview of Canada’s judicial system.

5. Criminal vs civil process.

6. Indigenous justice & restorative models.

7. Australia’s court system.

У рамках характеристики судової системи акцентовано на наступному:

1. Constitutional and Institutional Foundations of Judicial Power

Judicial power is grounded in constitutional frameworks that define the authority, structure, and functions of courts.

In Canada, courts operate under:

●             the Constitution Act (1867);

●             the Constitution Act (1982);

●             the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

These instruments establish:

●             division of powers between federal and provincial levels;

●             protection of rights;

●             judicial review.

In Australia, the system is based on:

●             independence and impartiality;

●             separation of powers.

These principles ensure that courts act free from political influence and fairly interpret laws.

2. Structure and Hierarchy of Courts in EU and US

United States:

●             U.S. District Courts (trial level).

●             U.S. Courts of Appeals (circuit courts).

●             U.S. Supreme Court (highest authority).

Additionally:

●             each state has its own court system (trial → appellate → state supreme court);

●             specialized courts exist (e.g., Bankruptcy Court, Tax Court).

The system follows:

●             stare decisis (binding precedent from higher courts).

Procedural features:

●             adversarial system;

●             jury trials;

●             plea bargaining;

●             discovery.

European Union:

●             Court of Justice (ECJ);

●             General Court;

●             (formerly Civil Service Tribunal).

Together they form the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

3. Enforcement, Remedies, and Practical Implications for Lawyers

From procedural features and case types:

●             The adversarial system requires lawyers to actively present and challenge evidence.

●             Discovery allows broad pre-trial exchange of evidence.

●             Plea bargaining plays a major role in criminal cases.

Remedies include:

●             in civil cases: damages, injunctions;

●             in criminal cases: punishments imposed by courts.

Practical implications:

●             lawyers must navigate procedural rules;

●             prepare evidence strategically;

●             operate within systems of precedent (especially in the U.S.).

4. An Overview of Canada’s Judicial System

Canada has a hybrid system combining:

●             common law (most provinces);

●             civil law (Quebec for private law).

Structure:

●             Supreme Court of Canada – final court of appeal.

●             Federal courts (Federal Court, Tax Court, Federal Court of Appeal).

●             Provincial/Territorial courts:

-              lower courts;

-              superior courts;

-              courts of appeal.

Key features:

●             federal–provincial division of powers;

●             criminal law is federal;

●             civil/property matters are mainly provincial.

The Supreme Court:

●             hears appeals;

●             decides constitutional issues;

●             provides advisory opinions.

5. Criminal vs Civil Process

Criminal process:

●             initiated by the Crown/prosecution;

●             standard of proof: beyond a reasonable doubt;

●             may involve jury trials.

Civil process:

●             dispute between plaintiff and defendant;

●             standard of proof: balance of probabilities;

●             usually decided by judges.

Differences:

●             procedures;

●             parties involved;

●             remedies (punishment vs compensation).

6. Indigenous Justice & Restorative Models

Canada recognizes:

●             Indigenous legal traditions;

●             need for culturally appropriate justice.

Key elements:

●             Gladue principles (consider Indigenous background in sentencing);

●             restorative justice programs;

●             Indigenous courts and initiatives.

Goals:

●             reduce overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in custody;

●             focus on rehabilitation and community-based solutions.

7. Australia’s Court System

Australia has a dual system:

●             federal courts;

●             state/territory courts.

Hierarchy:

●             High Court of Australia (final appellate court).

●             Federal Court of Australia.

●             Federal Circuit & Family Court.

●             State Supreme Courts.

●             District/County Courts.

●             Magistrates/Local Courts.

Key characteristics:

●             all appeals ultimately lead to the High Court;

●             federal courts handle federal law matters (e.g., migration, taxation);

●             state courts handle most criminal and civil matters.

Lower courts:

●             deal with minor offences and small claims.

Higher courts:

●             handle serious criminal cases and complex civil disputes.

The system ensures:

●             interpretation of laws;

●             dispute resolution;

●             protection of individual rights.