[2] The Court derives its authority from the Constitution of Ukraine, but much of its structure is outlined in legislation.

A more detailed description of the Court's functions and authority may be found in the Law of Ukraine "On the Judiciary and the Status of Judges".

Also, in each court of cassation, judicial chambers are formed to consider certain categories of cases, taking into account the specialization of judges.

The competence of the elected judges was gradually extended until the adoption of the Constitution of Ukraine by the All-Ukrainian Constituent Assembly.

The first judges to the court were elected on January 15, 1918 among whom were M. Pukhtynsky, P. Achkasov, O. Butovsky, F. Popov, M. Radchenko, O. Khrutsky, Serhiy Shelukhin, and H. Shyianov.

On July 8, 1918, the Hetman of Ukraine completely changed the upper echelon of judicial jurisdiction in the country.

[8][1] On 16 May, a plenary session of the Supreme Court expressed no confidence in Kniaziev, resulting in his dismissal from his position as chairman.