JURIDICAL SYSTEM OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE BEFORE THE REFORM OF 1864
(COMMEMORATING 150 YEARS OF JURIDICAL STATUTES) 

Karnishina Natalia Gennadievna, Doctor of historical sciences, professor, head of sub-department of state-law disciplinies, Penza State University (40 Krasnaya street, Penza, Russia), karnishins@mail.ru 

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Background. The article analyzes the state of the judicial system of the Russian Empire at the end of 1850s. Imperfection of the judicial system in the middle of XIX century was so obvious that it was impossible to use considerable measures; cardinal reconstruction of all institutions should have been made.
Materials and methods. The research of the problem was carried out on the basis archival sources, publications, published statistical and court proceedings. Relying on the opinion of lead Russian lawyers of XIX century the author proves the necessity of new juridicial statutes that absolutely changed the court system of the Russian Empire.
Results. In the centre of attention of the author is investigation of the structure of Russia’s reformation. The author proved uneffectiveness of the court before reforms due to a large number of incompleted cases and judicial red tape. The investigation of the features of civil and criminal processes was carried out.
Conclusions. After the analysis of the level of education of judicial officials, their financial position the author made a conclusion that the presence of different judicial bodies, the absence of the system of judicial legislation, the connection between judicial and administrative functions, slow judicial investigation which were added by shortages of judicial corps led to the crisis of the court before the reforms. There was a necessity to make several system reforms. 

judicial reform, court before reform, judicial officials, district courts. 

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