Abstract: This paper analyzes the establishment, tasks, and operations of people’s district courts in Croatia in the aftermath of the World War II. Their activities are examined within the context of the circumstances surrounding the creation of the legal-normative framework of the new state. The functioning of these courts reflects the importance of the new legal system, authority, and legality of the new political and social order. People’s district courts in the course of their work had to cooperate with other authorities, primarily public prosecutors, OZN (Department for People’s Protection), and others. Therefore, the research of the people’s district courts’ activities also provides an insight into the operations of related institutions in post-war Croatia.

Keywords: courts, organization, work, Croatia, Yugoslavia, 1945

Summary

The organization of the judiciary was of exceptional importance during the establishment of a new order in Croatia in 1945. The introduction of new laws and the commencement of district courts’ operations were accompanied by an effective propaganda. Simultaneously with the establishment of the courts, a new legislative framework was formed. In this respect, significant problems arose in the city of Rijeka, as it was under military administration, and therefore in this area the new laws could not be applied. While the post-war judiciary was fundamentally popular, it struggled with the lack of qualified personnel, resulting in unfounded indictments and verdicts. Regarding criminal cases, the district courts in Croatia prioritized the issue of confiscation and the application of the Law on illegal speculation and economic sabotage. These verdicts and indictments were primarily politically determined, and the criminal element of the committed crime was of lesser importance. Through confiscations significant assets were secured for the State. Starting from September 1945, the courts focused on the implementation of the Law on electoral rolls, as the campaign for the elections to the Constituent Assembly was underway. Towards the end of the year, as per the Law on crimes against the people and the state, all the cases of the military courts and district divisions of OZN (Department for People’s Protection) were transferred to the jurisdiction of regular people’s courts. It can be concluded that at the beginning of 1946, at least in principle, the transition to a “peacetime” jurisdiction was set to begin. The work of district people’s courts played a vital role in the distribution of “justice at the first instance”. In doing so, they supported the concept of political consciousness and revolutionary legitimacy, which meant that the Law did not have to be applied formally. The carefully planned system of courts, their tasks and implementation indicate that the communist government systematically organized key institutions to combat counter-revolutionary forces.