Ukrainian News Agency
The superior specialised court dealing with civil and criminal cases has commenced work, reads a statement made by the court press service.
"From November 1, 2010 works the Superior Specialised Court of Ukraine for Considering Civil and Criminal Cases," the statement said.
It notes, a pre-requisite for creation of the court was endorsement of the law "On the judicial system and status of judges" of July 7, 2010, and also decree No.810 issued by President Viktor Yanukovych on August 12, entitled "On the Superior Specialised Court of Ukraine for Considering Civil and Criminal Cases."
As of November 1, the Verkhovna Rada has elected 27 judges to the new court.
Leonid Fesenko appointed the presiding judge at the court by the High Council of Justice resolution dated October 8.
On October 26, the court judges convoked for the initial meeting, at which they settled organisational issues of top priority related to the start of its operation, specifically, they approved a provision on the gathering of judges, created judicial divisions and determined their quantitative composition.
The judicial division for civil cases consists of 70 judges and the judicial division for criminal cases of 50 judges.
As Ukrainian News earlier reported, Member of Parliament Serhii Kivalov of the Party of Regions, who chairs the parliamentary committee for justice, predicted that the superior specialised court for civil and criminal cases would begin working from October 1.
President Viktor Yanukovych in August instructed the Cabinet of Ministers and the Justice Ministry to ensure creation of this court.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on July 7, 2010, passed reworked law "On the judicial system and status of judges", which envisages existence of such a court.
Yanukovych on July 27, approved of this law.
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