The court and judicial proceedings in the villages of Galychyna (between the end of the XVIIIth and the first half of the XIXth century)

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The article is dedicated to the analysis of the functioning of the judicial system and the peculiarities of the judicial proceedings in the rural communities of Galicia between the end of the XVIIIth century and the first half of the XIXth century. The development of legal institutions following the annexation of Galicia to the Habsburg Monarchy is examined, particularly the introduction of the Austrian judicial system, which replaced traditional forms of rural adjudication. The primary focus is on the changes in the structure of courts, the jurisdiction of judges, the process of case hearings, and the participation of peasants in judicial proceedings. The article also characterizes the influences of political, social as well economic factors on judicial procedures and decisions. Special attention is given to the role of peasant self-governance and its integration into new legal norms. The article highlights a significant contribution to understanding the evolution of judicial proceedings in the rural areas of Galicia, which will foster a deeper comprehension of the processes of legal modernization in the Austrian Empire. It describes the impact of the Austrian administration on the judicial system, including a series of reforms aimed at unifying judicial proceedings and implementing Austrian law. This led to significant changes in the structure of the courts, their jurisdiction, and the procedures for implementing their decisions, as the peasants of Galicia had their own traditional legal customs and norms, which often conflicted with Austrian legislation. The integration processes associated with the introduction of the new justice system substantially affected the unique legal culture of the peasants, as rural courts had specific characteristics compared to urban and district courts. The article analyzes legislative acts and reforms introduced by the Austrian authorities in the field of judicial proceedings, their role, and their impact on judicial practice. It identifies the specific features of courts and judicial proceedings in the villages of Galicia during the period under study. The importance of researching this issue lies in understanding the evolution of legal norms, judicial practice, and their impact on the lives of the rural population. The study of the declared problem allows for a better understanding of the legal and social processes that took place in this part of Europe during the specified period. This not only supplements the general picture of the history of law but also helps to identify the roots of contemporary legal traditions and issues.