Materials of the Newspaper “Astrakhanskiy Listok” in 1913 as Sources on the Reform of the Judicial System in the Kalmyk Steppe and the Inner Kyrgyz Horde at the Beginning of the 20th Century

Introduction. This article presents the texts and characteristics of two publications in the newspaper “Astrakhanskiy Listok” for 1913, devoted to the reforms of the judicial system in the Kalmyk steppe and the Inner Kyrgyz Horde at the beginning of the 20th century. The purpose of the article is to introduce these publications into scientific circulation, to study them from the point of view of content and historical context. Results. The main provisions of the projects of reforming the judicial system of the two named national suburbs are given: the initial one from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the second one — jointly with the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Empire. The biographical information of the editor and publisher of the newspaper “Astrakhanskiy Listok” V. I. Sklabinsky is given. The texts of the articles “Judicial reforms in the Kalmyk and Kyrgyz Steppe” and “Restoration of the Archaic Role of the Ulus Zargo. (On the Issue of Kalmyk Justice”, as well as comments on them. Conclusions. These publications substantiate and note the delay in reforming the justice system in the Kalmyk Steppe and the Inner Kyrgyz Horde in comparison with modern trends of that time; the implementation of justice by quasi-judicial bodies; the application of pre-reform procedural laws; the lack of proper legal training among the personnel of the courts. The urgency of the early introduction of a modern court and judicial procedure is expressed. At the same time, the provisions of the official drafts on the impossibility of introducing a jury trial in the Kalmyk steppe and the Inner Kyrgyz Horde are supported, which is associated with poor knowledge of the Russian language, lack of land qualifications, and a number of other exceptions due to both the shortcomings of the existing judicial system and the peculiarities of the way of life of nomadic foreigners.