„Kopa” law and its application in Ukrainian community justice (XIV-XVIII cent.)

Abstract

The article is devoted to “kopa” customary law, which was applied by community courts in Ukrainian lands in the XIV–XVIII centuries. Interpretations of the concept of “kopa” law in the scientific literature are covered. “Kopa” law was a subsystem of material and procedural norms of customary law. It was characteristic of the Ukrainian and Belarussian peoples. In addition, “kopa” law was sometimes referred to as the community court, which enforced the relevant rules.The structure of “kopa” law and the origin of its elements are revealed. The basis of “kopa” law was legal customs, inherited from ancient communities. New customary rules were also formed as a result of the legalization of religious norms and the influence of litigation practices of community courts. Among the courts, operating in the Ukrainian lands in the XIV–XVIII centuries, “kopa” courts were one of the most fully applicable rules of customary law.The material norms of “kopa” law on the basis of the analysis of community courts decisions are covered. The norms of land tenure, civil offenses, crimes, complicity, recidivism, necessary defense, punishments and release from them are analyzed. Criminal responsibility in “kopa” law had the primary purpose of protecting a person, his/her life, health and property.Among criminal cases, “kopa” courts most often dealt with cases of murder, theft, witchcraft, arson, sacrilege, etc. This range of categories of criminal cases allows us to determine what actions “kopa” law considered criminal. For committing crimes, “kopa” law provided property, corporal punishments and the death penalty. In “kopa” law death penalty was realized mainly through hanging. As for witches, sorcerers and arsonists burning at the stake was used