DOCTRINAL APPROACHES TO DEFINING THE SUBJECT OF PROOF: CONTENT AND STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
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Published:
Apr 6, 2026
Abstract
This article examines the subject of proof as a fundamental concept in the theory of evidence within criminal procedure law. Based on a comparative analysis of doctrinal approaches proposed by Ukrainian and foreign legal scholars, as well as an examination of the substantive law of Ukraine, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Austria, and Canada, the article elucidates the essence, content, and structural elements of the subject of proof. The author emphasizes the significant discrepancies in understanding this category across different legal systems, which have practical implications for pre-trial investigation and judicial proceedings. The article demonstrates that a precise determination of the subject of proof is a prerequisite for effectively achieving the objectives of the criminal process and rendering lawful and reasoned procedural decisions. The study also analyzes potential approaches to defining the subject of proof in criminal proceedings under Article 191 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code.
How to Cite
Kolomiiets, K. (2026). DOCTRINAL APPROACHES TO DEFINING THE SUBJECT OF PROOF: CONTENT AND STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS. Baltic Journal of Legal and Social Sciences, (1), 35-45. https://doi.org/10.30525/2592-8813-2026-1-4
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Keywords
Subject of proof, Criminal procedural proving, Circumstances subject to proof, Comparative law, Evidence theory, Pre-trial investigation, Legal facts
References
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33. Vapniarchuk, V. V. (2017). Teoriia i praktyka kryminalnoho protsesualnoho dokazuvannia: monohrafiia [Theory and practice of criminal procedural proof: monograph]. Yurait. (in Ukrainian).
34. Vashchuk, B. L. (2007). Predmet dokazuvannia v tsyvilnomu pozovi u kryminalnomu protsesi [The subject of proof in civil claims in criminal proceedings] [Candidate dissertation, Academy of Advocacy of Ukraine]. (in Ukrainian).
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37. Zaporizhzhia National University. (n.d.). Lektsiia 2. Sklad kryminalnoho pravoporushennia [Lecture 2. Elements of a criminal offense]. URL: https://epkmoodle.znu.edu.ua/pluginfile.php/107928/mod_resource/content/0/Лекція%202.%20Склад%20кримінального%20правопорушення.pdf (in Ukrainian).
2. Bondarenko, O. O. (2024). Predmet dokazuvannia u kryminalnomu protsesi Ukrainy [The subject of proof in the criminal process of Ukraine]. Naukovyi visnyk Uzhhorodskoho natsionalnoho universytetu. Seriia: Pravo, 83(3), 196–201. https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2024-83.3.32 (in Ukrainian).
3. Busel, V. T. (Ed.). (2005). Velykyi tlumachnyi slovnyk suchasnoi ukrainskoi movy [Great explanatory dictionary of the modern Ukrainian language]. Perun. (in Ukrainian).
4. dJetlawyer. (2020, January 25). Facts in issue: What it means in the law of evidence. URL: https://djetlawyer.com/facts-in-issue/ (in English).
5. Evidence Act of Trinidad and Tobago, Chapter 7:02. (2012). URL: https://www.unodc.org/cld/uploads/res/document/tto/1905/Evidence_Act.pdf (in English).
6. Golser, F. (2018). Der Anwendungsbereich des § 281 Abs 1 Z 5 StPO [The scope of application of § 281 Abs 1 Z 5 StPO] [Diploma thesis, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg]. (in German).
7. Hroshevyi, Yu. M., & Stakhivskyi, S. M. (2007). Dokazy i dokazuvannia u kryminalnomu protsesi: naukovo-praktychnyi posibnyk [Evidence and proving in criminal proceedings: Scientific and practical guide]. KNT; Vydavets Fursa S. Ya. (in Ukrainian).
8. Indian Evidence Act, 1872. https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1031309/ (in English).
9. Judicial Commission of New South Wales. (n.d.). Onus and standard of proof. https://www.judcom.nsw.gov.au/publications/benchbks/criminal/onus_and_standard_of_proof.html (in English).
10. Kaplina, O. V. (2016). Dokazuvannia u kryminalnomu provadzenni: teoriia i praktyka [Proof in criminal proceedings: theory and practice]. Pravo. (in Ukrainian).
11. Karnavas, M. G. (2016, June 16). Civil law approaches to proof. Michael G. Karnavas Blog. https://michaelgkarnavas.net/blog/2016/06/16/civil-law-approaches-to-proof/ (in English).
12. Kolomiiets, K. (2022). Doktrynalni pidkhody do vyznachennia poniattia «predmet dokazuvannia » u kryminalnomu provadzenni [Doctrinal approaches to defining the concept of the «subject of proof» in criminal proceedings]. Visnyk kryminalnoho sudochynstva, (3-4), 192–200. https://doi.org/10.17721/2413-5372.2022.3-4/192-200 (in Ukrainian).
13. Kryminalnyi kodeks Ukrainy [Criminal Code of Ukraine], No. 2341-III. (2001). URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2341-14 (in Ukrainian).
14. Kryminalnyi protsesualnyi kodeks Ukrainy [Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine], No. 4651-VI. (2012). URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/4651-17 (in Ukrainian).
15. LexisNexis. (n.d.). Burden and standard of proof in criminal proceedings. URL: https://www.lexisnexis.co.uk/legal/guidance/burden-standard-of-proof-in-criminal-proceedings (in English).
16. Loboiko, L. M., & Banchuk, O. A. (2014). Kryminalnyi protses: Navchalnyi posibnyk [Criminal process: Study guide]. Vaite. (in Ukrainian).
17. Manupatra. (n.d.). Law of evidence. Chapter 2: Facts and relevancy of facts. URL: http://student.manupatra.com/Academic/Abk/Law-of-Evidence/Chapter2.htm (in English).
18. Merle, R., & Vitu, A. (1967). Traité de droit criminel [Treatise on criminal law]. Editions Cujas. (in French).
19. Mermoz, V. (2019). Les indices en procédure pénale [The indicators in criminal procedure] [Doctoral dissertation, Université Paris-Saclay]. (in French).
20. MTR Legal Wiki. (n.d.). Beweisthema. URL: https://www.mtrlegal.com/wiki/beweisthema/(in English).
21. Nimetsko-ukrainskyi slovnyk yurydychnykh terminiv [German-Ukrainian legal dictionary]. (2017). NU OYUA. (in Ukrainian).
22. Oberster Gerichtshof (OGH). (2006, June 13). Decision 14 Os 59/06t. EvBl 2006/132; RIS-Justiz RS0120817. (in English).
23. Paciocco, D. M., & Stuesser, L. W. (2022). The practical guide to evidence and proof in criminal cases (2nd ed.). Emond Montgomery Publications. (in English).
24. Pogoretskyi, M. A. (2007). Funktsionalne pryznachennia operatyvno-rozshukovoi diialnosti u kryminalnomu protsesi: monohrafiia [Functional purpose of inquiry activity in criminal proceedings: Monograph]. Arsis LTD. (in Ukrainian).
25. Popeliushko, V. O. (2001). Predmet dokazuvannia v kryminalnomu protsesi [The subject of proof in criminal proceedings]. NaUOA. (in Ukrainian).
26. Power Legal. (n.d.). Beyond reasonable doubt – Proving the elements of a criminal offence. URL: https://www.powerlegal.com.au/beyond-reasonable-doubt-proving-elements-criminal-offence/(in English).
27. Salhany, R. E., & Claxton, E. W. (2022). The practical guide to evidence and proof in criminal cases (9th ed.). Emond Publishing. (in English).
28. Slovnyk ukrainskoi movy v 11 tomakh [Dictionary of the Ukrainian language in 11 volumes]. (n.d.). URL: https://slovnyk.ua/ (in Ukrainian).
29. Starenkyi, O. S. (2014). Shchodo vyznachennia poniattia mezh dokazuvannia v kryminalnomu provadzenni [On defining the concept of limits of proving in criminal proceedings]. Chasopys Natsionalnoho universytetu «Ostrozka akademiia». Seriia «Law», 1(9), 1–9. URL: http://lj.oa.edu.ua/articles/2014/n1/14sosvkp.pdf (in Ukrainian).
30. Strafprozeßordnung (StPO) [Code of Criminal Procedure of Germany]. (2024). URL: gesetze-iminternet.de. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stpo/ (in German).
31. Tertyshnyk, V. M. (2018). Kryminalnyi protses Ukrainy [Criminal process of Ukraine]. Alerta. (in Ukrainian).
32. The Evidence Act [Tanzania], Chapter 6 [R.E. 2023]. (2025). URL: https://www.nps.go.tz/uploads/documents/sw-1751203347-THE%20EVIDENCE%20ACT-2.pdf (in English).
33. Vapniarchuk, V. V. (2017). Teoriia i praktyka kryminalnoho protsesualnoho dokazuvannia: monohrafiia [Theory and practice of criminal procedural proof: monograph]. Yurait. (in Ukrainian).
34. Vashchuk, B. L. (2007). Predmet dokazuvannia v tsyvilnomu pozovi u kryminalnomu protsesi [The subject of proof in civil claims in criminal proceedings] [Candidate dissertation, Academy of Advocacy of Ukraine]. (in Ukrainian).
35. Western Law Students’ Society. (2018). Evidence Summary. URL: https://westernsls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Evidence-Summary-.pdf (in English).
36. Wikipedia. (n.d.). Burden of proof (law). URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burden_of_proof_(law (in English).
37. Zaporizhzhia National University. (n.d.). Lektsiia 2. Sklad kryminalnoho pravoporushennia [Lecture 2. Elements of a criminal offense]. URL: https://epkmoodle.znu.edu.ua/pluginfile.php/107928/mod_resource/content/0/Лекція%202.%20Склад%20кримінального%20правопорушення.pdf (in Ukrainian).