SOUTHERN REGION In 99% of cases the court treated the parties impartially (above nationwide average by 1%). IMPARTIALITY OF THE COURT AND OBSERVANCE OF THE EQUALITY OF ARMS PRINCIPLE IN THE SOUTHERN REGION 4,7 -5 0 5 CULTURE OF CONDUCTING THE TRIAL The monitors evaluated the general status of observance of ethical norms and communication culture both by the court and the trial participants as impeccable in 87% of cases (above nationwide average by 9%). In 95% of cases the court did not allow rudeness and tactlessness (matches the nationwide average rate), and never made any discriminatory comments and actions (above the nationwide average rate by 1%). In 94% of cases the judge did not get distracted from the hearing and listened to the parties attentively (above nationwide average by 4%). In 95% of cases the participants of the trial observed ethical norms and due communication culture (above nationwide average by 1%). CULTURE OF CONDUCTING THE TRIAL IN THE SOUTHERN REGION 4,4 -5 0 5 REASONABLE TIME According to the assessment of the monitors, the courts in the southern region took efficient actions to encourage the parties to settle in 33% of those cases where it was necessary (19% below the nationwide average rate). The reasons for that striking difference require further investigation. In 17% of cases the court hearing started on time or with a delay of up to 5 minutes (above the nationwide average rate by 3%). Almost one third of all the hearings started with significant delays – from 14 minutes to 4 hours. Report on the findings of the first trial monitoring programme in Ukraine 73