Russian Law
Russian Law is the legal system of the Russia, which has evolved through various stages of history, incorporating elements from different legal traditions including Roman law, Byzantine law, and Soviet law.
Historical Development
The roots of Russian Law trace back to:
- Pre-revolutionary Russia: Before the 1917 revolution, Russia's legal system was influenced by Tsarist Russia's autocratic rule, where law was largely an expression of the Tsar's will. Key legal codes from this period include the Ulozhenie (1649), which was one of the first comprehensive legal codes.
- Soviet Era: After the October Revolution, the Soviet legal system was established, characterized by Marxist-Leninist principles. The Soviet Union's legal system was based on the ideology of class struggle, with the state controlling the economy and social life. The 1922 Constitution of the USSR laid the foundation for this system.
- Post-Soviet Transition: Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russian Law underwent significant reforms to adapt to a market economy and democratic governance. This included the adoption of the 1993 Constitution, which remains the cornerstone of modern Russian law.
Structure of Russian Law
The structure of Russian Law can be divided into several branches:
- Constitutional Law: Governed by the 1993 Constitution, which outlines the structure of government, rights of citizens, and the distribution of powers.
- Civil Law: Covers personal rights, property, contracts, torts, and family law. The Civil Code of Russia, enacted in 1994, is the primary legislative document.
- Criminal Law: Defined by the Criminal Code of Russia, which was adopted in 1996 and has been amended several times.
- Administrative Law: Deals with the organization and execution of government and its relations with citizens.
- International Law: Russia is a signatory to various international treaties and conventions, influencing its domestic legislation.
Legal Institutions
Key institutions within the Russian legal system include:
Challenges and Criticisms
Russian Law faces several criticisms:
- Rule of Law: There are ongoing concerns about the rule of law, particularly with regards to the independence of the judiciary and the application of law in politically sensitive cases.
- Human Rights: Issues related to freedom of speech, assembly, and rights of minorities have been points of contention with international bodies like the European Court of Human Rights.
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