The scientific-practical Law Journal “Almanac of Law” Volume 11 (2020), 208-213 p.
DOI: 10.33663/2524-017X-2020-11-37
Sverba Y. I. Some Approaches to Define the Concept of “Access to Justice”
The article is dedicated to the analysis of the concept of "access to justice". The national legislation, the case law of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine and the European Court of Human Rights, as well as academic papers have been analyzed by the author. The author concludes that there are at least two approaches to define the concept of "access to justice": broadside and restricted one. The latter is inherent in Ukraine, since the Constitution stipulates that justice in Ukraine is exercised by the courts exclusively.
The case law of the European Court of Human Rights explored in this article demonstrates a broad interpretation of the right to a fair trial, as quasi-judicial authorities are often empowered to make decisions that directly affect a person's rights and obligations.
Foreign researchers are more progressive in determining the concept of access to justice: the latter is considered as an intention to resolve person's legal problems, not limited with access to classical judicial protection.
Even though the access to justice concept is not legally defined, it includes the core elements as legal awareness of person’s rights; lack of financial barriers to access to the court; the right to free legal aid guaranteed by the state; a fair and independent court; a reasonable time to settle a dispute, as well as the enforcement of the judgment.
The state could ensure the effective access to justice only if all of the said elements are implemented. At the same time, the states have both positive (to provide the right to free legal aid) and negative obligations (not to interfere with court activities, etc.).
Keywords: access to justice, justice, right to a fair trial, rule.
References:
1. Rishennia Konstytutsiinoho Sudu Ukrainy vid 17.03.2020 r. ¹ 5-r/2020 u spravi za konstytutsiinoiu skarhoiu Tatkova Viktora Ivanovycha shchodo vidpovidnosti Konstytutsii Ukrainy (konstytutsiinosti) okremykh polozhen chastyny piatoi statti 190, punktu 1 chastyny pershoi, chastyny tretoi statti 309 Kryminalnoho protsesualnoho kodeksu Ukrainy. [Elektronnyi resurs]. – Rezhym dostupu: https://bit.ly/2UYKGHM.
2. Rishennia Konstytutsiinoho Sudu Ukrainy vid 25.12.1997 r. ¹ 9-zp u spravi za konstytutsiinym zvernenniam hromadian Protsenko Raisy Mykolaivny, Yaroshenko Poliny Petrivny ta inshykh hromadian shchodo ofitsiinoho tlumachennia statei 55, 64, 124 Konstytutsii Ukrainy (sprava za zvernenniamy zhyteliv mista Zhovti Vody). [Elektronnyi resurs]. – Rezhym dostupu: https://bit.ly/3a3eRSl
3. Mokrytska I.Ia. Dostupnist pravosuddia yak shliakh do zabezpechennia prava na sudovyi zakhyst u kryminalnomu protsesi: naukovo-teoretychnyi aspekt / I. Ya. Mokrytska // Chasopys Natsionalnoho universytetu «Ostrozka akademiia». Seriia «Pravo». – 2015. – ¹ 1 (11). – S. 1-13.
4. Ovcharenko O.M. Dostupnist pravosuddia ta harantii yoho realizatsii: Monohrafiia. – Kh.: Pravo, 2008. – 304 s.
5. Sakara N.Iu. Nalezhna sudova protsedura yak element dostupnosti pravosuddia / N. Yu. Sakara // Yurydychna Ukraina. – 2004. – ¹ 3. – S. 63–67.
6. Davydenko S.V. Poterpilyi yak subiekt kryminalno-protsesualnoho dokazuvannia: avtoref. dys. na zdobuttia nauk. stupenia kand. yuryd. nauk: spets. 12.00.09 «Kryminalnyi protses ta kryminalistyka; sudova ekspertyza» / S.V. Davydenko. – Kharkiv, 2007. – 20 s.
7. Buryi V. O. Pravo na dostup do pravosuddia yak odna z peredumov zabezpechennia inshykh prav i svobod liudyny / V. O. Buryi // Naukovi zapysky NaUKMA. Yurydychni nauky. – 2018. – T. 1. – S. 25-28.
8. Dovydas Vitkauskas. Zakhyst prava na spravedlyvyi sud vidpovidno do Yevropeiskoi konventsii z prav liudyny: posibnyk dlia yurystiv. – Kyiv: Pronto Print, 2018. – 190 s.
9. Guide on Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Right to a fair trial (criminal limb). [Elektronnyi resurs]. – Rezhym dostupu: https://bit.ly/2V25CO7.
10. Guide on Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Right to a fair trial (civil limb). [Elektronnyi resurs]. –Rezhym dostupu:https://bit.ly/3cbf0Vf.
11. Access to Justice: A Societal Imperative. Remarks of the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, P.C. Chief Justice of Canada. [Elektronnyi resurs]. – Rezhym dostupu: https://bit.ly/3c2DqAi.
12. Effective Access to Justice. Study for the PETI Committee. [Elektronnyi resurs]. – Rezhym dostupu: https://bit.ly/3cbwota.
13. Jon Robins. Access to justice is a fine concept. What does it mean in view of cuts to legal aid?– The Gardian. [Elektronnyi resurs]. – Rezhym dostupu: https://bit.ly/2Vrqv4m.
14. Rozdumy pro dostup do pravosuddia. Katrina Fanestok, prohramnyi dyrektor, Counter Point (SShA), za materialamy Druhoi mizhrehionalnoi konferentsii «Dostup do pravosuddia», m. Kremenchuk, berezen 2001 roku. [Elektronnyi resurs]. – Rezhym dostupu: https://bit.ly/2K0YdrK.
15. Access to Justice: practice note. – UNDP. – 09.03.2004. [Elektronnyi resurs]. – Rezhym dostupu: https://bit.ly/2Ry3mMq.
<< Back
