THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ZEMSKY COURT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE 19TH CENTURY (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE ST. PETERSBURG PROVINCE)

The article is devoted to the history of the Zemsky courts as one of the most important components of the noble estate self-government in the first quarter of the 19th century. The study of the functioning of the judicial system of this period allows us to understand the reasons for its change during the Great Reforms, when the judicial system that exists until today was created. The author, based on a thorough analysis of legal acts, examines the evolution of legislation regulating the activities of Zemsky courts. It was based on the system created in the second half of the 18th century, but in the first quarter of the 19th century it was changed by the government to meet the needs of the time. The article highlights the main problems of the functioning of the zemsky courts, such as the lack of noble assessors, volokita in solving cases, and relationships with other institutions. Based on archival documents, the practical activities of the Zemsky ispravnick and assessors, as well as the attitude of various segments of the population towards them, are shown. The Zemsky court of that time had police functions, and, accordingly, was included in the vertical of Government institutions. The duties of Zemsky ispravnick and assessors were very extensive: they protected public order, exercised various economic powers, ensured quarantine measures, and resolved all kinds of conflicts. Based on the study of the subject, the author concludes that the service of electing the nobility, which was conceived as a privilege, became an unattractive and heavy duty.