Fedorchuk N. The Protection of Rights and Legitimate Interests of Crime Victims in Criminal Justice of English and American Legal Systems.

The dissertation is the first research in Ukraine which studies means of victim protection in criminal justice systems of Great Britain and the United States of America. It is also the first research based on the comparison of British, American and Ukrainian means of protection for crime victims. The first part of the work has been devoted to historical role of crime victims. Although the state power in Great Britain and the USA strengthened considerably since the 19th century, the role of crime victim in criminal justice system was fairly marginal. Both countries entered the 21st century with new visions of victims rights in criminal justice, problems of punishment and restoration, and therefore, well developed system of protection of victims' rights and interests. We agree with G. Fletcher, A. Goldstein, J. Gittler and others who proved that the ignorance of victims in criminal justice (in historical context) is unfair and it is important to increase the significance of crime victims in order to overcome victim alienation with criminal justice system and develop effective cooperation between them. Key terms: crime victim, sufferer, damage, rights, interests, mechanisms of protection.