Abstract :The transition from socialism to capitalism in Central and Eastern
Europe to the Baltic states or the Commonwealth of Independent
States requires a fundamental reorientation of legal and judicial
institutions. Most of the legal structure in these countries
consisted of administrative law and institutions including state
arbitration. The transition from socialism to capitalism requires
dramatic changes in legal and judicial institutions, greater
independence from state power, new roles and abilities of judges,
prosecutors and lawyers, and rapid strengthening of institutional
capacity to resolve legal cases efficiently and effectively.