An article describes the main functions and other features of a classical Western-type Civil Service — the British one. Comparing and contrasting characteristics of the British Civil Service to those of Ukraine’s State Service, a conclusion is drown that the contemporary Ukraine’s State Service can be considered only as a body of professional staff of the State apparatus characterised by some tendencies towards its gradual transformation into the Civil Service while preserving a number of features that are contrary to the essence of that institution.