Judges share laws, culture
Topeka Capital-Journal (Topeka, KS)
Posted on August 3, 2005
By Brandy Nance
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| Shawnee County District Judge Terry Bullock talks with visiting Russian Judge Vadim Pavlov, left, and other judges from Russia on Tuesday at the Shawnee County Courthouse. The delegation of five is visiting Topeka this week to learn more about the U.S. judicial process. |
The judges sat in on Shawnee County District Court and visited the Washburn University School of Law on Tuesday as part of Open World's specialized rule of law program -- the largest exchange between the U.S. and Russian judiciaries, according to the U.S. District Court.
The five Russian Federation judges will get a welcome break Thursday when they hit Topeka stores in search of gifts and souvenirs.
Sergey Baranov, chairman of the Dimitrov Trial Court, Orel region, said he plans to pick up some gifts to take home and some American mementos for himself.
"I'm going to buy American blue jeans," Baranov said, "and I'm looking for things that have the American flag on them so I can cherish my memories (of being here) and some things to do with Kansas."
Larisa Sudnyachenkova, deputy chairwoman of the group, city of Vyksa, Russia, Nizhny Novgorod region, said she will be looking for something to take home to her daughter, but she isn't sure yet what that will be.
"I have a daughter who is grown, and I need to buy her something," Sudnyachenkova said.
Baranov and Sudnyachenkova said their time here already has made them aware of several differences between the Russian and American judicial systems.
"I thought the American system was really streamlined and simple," Sudnyachenkova said. "Our system is more complicated. The judge in the American system plays a major role. Our law limits the role of the judge."
Besides the court visits and shopping trip, the group's agenda includes visits to several government buildings, luncheons with civic leaders and learning more about the judicial process. The group will return to Russia on Saturday.
Brandy Nance can be reached at (785) 295-1185 orhttp://brandy.nance@cjonline.com.
[Reprinted with Permission]
