Judiciary of Russia
The Constitutional Court of Russia sits with eleven judges, requiring a quorum of eight to conduct business. These judges serve twelve-year terms and must retire by age seventy. Candidates for this court need at least fifteen years of legal experience and a recognized high qualification in law. The President nominates them, but the Federation Council holds the power to appoint. This body reviews whether federal laws or presidential decrees comply with the Constitution. It also settles disputes between different branches of government or between regions and the central state. Citizens may file complaints alleging violations of their constitutional rights directly before this court.
The Supreme Court of Russia maintains one hundred fifteen members who study judicial decisions from lower courts. Thirteen judges form its Presidium, which serves as the final court of appeal for criminal cases. Only the Prosecutor General can bring a case to this Presidium, limiting access significantly. In 1998, just 0.4% of criminal cases reviewed by three-judge panels resulted in acquittal within this chamber. The court divides into several chambers including civil, criminal, administrative, commercial, and military divisions. Each chamber typically operates with three judges when hearing specific types of cases. A Judicial Department handles administration while an Academic Consultative Council provides legal advice.
District courts serve as primary trial venues for criminal cases involving imprisonment over three years. These courts often include juries alongside a single judge depending on the severity of the offense. Regional courts function as appellate bodies reviewing district court decisions that have not yet taken effect. Military courts handle cases exclusively involving military personnel across various districts and fleets. Arbitration courts operate independently to resolve contractual disputes, bankruptcy issues, and ownership rights. This specialized system allows business entities to bypass general jurisdiction courts for economic matters. Cassation courts became operational on the 1st of October 2019, adding another layer of review for district-level decisions.
The All-Russian Congress of Judges acts as the supreme body governing judicial self-government since 2002. It elects members to the Council of Judges who oversee internal affairs. The Judicial Department manages candidate selection, training programs, and qualification assessments for all judges. Regional Qualification Boards exist at the federal subject level to assist in appointments and dismissals. Court presidents hold sole discretion over assigning specific cases to individual judges within their facilities. This power allows presidents to transfer sensitive cases to different judges during ongoing trials without systematic criteria. The Higher Judges' Qualifications Board operates nationally to support these regional efforts.
Yury Chaika served as Prosecutor General, holding a position independent from executive or legislative branches yet wielding immense influence. His office supervises laws regarding detective activities and pre-trial investigations nationwide. Prosecutors lead offices subordinate to the General Prosecutor's Office down to town levels. Military prosecutors wear uniforms with shoulder marks but remain unconnected to military authority except through higher command. The Prosecutor General can appeal directly to the Supreme Court Presidium, creating a bottleneck for criminal appeals. Critics argue this structure undermines true separation of powers between state institutions.
Alexei Navalny lost his advocate status in November 2013 following a judgment in the Kirovles case. To become an advocate, candidates must pass both written computer testing and oral examinations administered by commissions. These commissions include seven advocates, two judges, and representatives from legislatures and justice ministries. Successful candidates take an oath and enter registers maintained by the Ministry of Justice. As of 2018, there were roughly 49.4 advocates per one hundred thousand people in Russia. Foreign lawyers may register separately if they wish to advise on their home country legislation within Russian borders.
Transparency International found that seventy-eight percent of respondents did not expect to find justice in courts. Carnegie Moscow Center reported acquittal rates occurring only once every seven years before being repealed. Jury trials number around six hundred annually out of one million total cases nationwide. Juries grant acquittals in fifteen to twenty percent of cases compared to less than one percent for judge-only decisions. Skeptical juries often face dismissal near verdicts while higher courts frequently overturn their rulings. Allegations persist regarding bribery at trial court levels and intimidation tactics against jurors.
Trial by jury first appeared during Alexander II's Judicial reform of 1864 before disappearing after the October Revolution. The system returned in 1993 and expanded to sixty-nine regions by 2003 despite opposition from prosecutors. Magistrates reemerged gradually between 2001 and 2003 following abolition in 1917. Lay judges operated throughout the Soviet Union until reforms in 1958 changed election procedures. Vladimir Yaroslavtsev resigned from the Council of Judges in 2009 after accusing security services of undermining independence. Anatoly Kononov left the Constitutional Court on the 1st of January 2010, seven years early due to dissenting opinions.
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Common questions
How many judges serve on the Constitutional Court of Russia and what are their term limits?
The Constitutional Court of Russia sits with eleven judges who must retire by age seventy after serving twelve-year terms. Candidates for this court need at least fifteen years of legal experience and a recognized high qualification in law.
When did Cassation courts become operational in the Russian judicial system?
Cassation courts became operational on the 1st of October 2019, adding another layer of review for district-level decisions. This development allows for additional scrutiny of lower court rulings within the hierarchical structure.
What percentage of respondents expected to find justice in Russian courts according to Transparency International?
Transparency International found that seventy-eight percent of respondents did not expect to find justice in courts. Skeptical juries often face dismissal near verdicts while higher courts frequently overturn their rulings.
Who appoints judges to the Constitutional Court of Russia and how long do they serve?
The President nominates candidates but the Federation Council holds the power to appoint them to the Constitutional Court of Russia. These judges serve twelve-year terms and must retire by age seventy.
How many advocates per one hundred thousand people existed in Russia as of 2018?
As of 2018, there were roughly 49.4 advocates per one hundred thousand people in Russia. To become an advocate, candidates must pass both written computer testing and oral examinations administered by commissions.