Functions of the procuracy of the Russian Federation: disputable issues
The absence of clear legal regulation of the notion of procuracy and the enumeration of its functions generate heated discussions in juristic literature. In connection with this the article presents the author's viewpoint on the above issues; it provides ground for the discrepancy of the notions «functions» and the procuracy's «major activities», it also highlightens the essence of the current functions. In particular, the article gives the coverage of the procuracy's function of supervision and the description of its branches as well as the coverage of functions which are not linked with supervision, namely: coordination of the enforcement bodies' activities aimed at crime-fighting; criminal prosecution; involvement in court procedure; participation in lawmaking activities, involvement in international cooperation and others. While elaborating these issues the author specially underlines the significance of each function and expresses his disagreement with the dominant viewpoint of the priority of the supervisory function. Special attention is given to the issue of functional correlation. Apart from this, the author dwells on the erroneous opinions according to which certain activities are attributed to the procuracy's functions while they cannot be regarded as such. Basing on the conducted research, there has been given a consistent description of procurator's functions and it has been suggested that there should be introduced certain corrections to the notion «procuracy» at the legislation level, there should be given accurate definitions to the notions «functions» and the procuracy's «major activities» as well аs there should be thoroughly enumerated the procuracy's functions and subfunctions - all this will enhance the certainty and significance of the procuracy of the Russian Federation.