The Evolution of Russian Justice (Court Reforms of XX—XXI centuries)

Abstract

The article contains analysis of organization of justice in Russia under republican regime. After the fall of Empire in 1917 a new model of state has emerged. It was founded on so-called "full power of the Soviets" principle. Justice bodies have became an integral part of the Soviets mechanism and lost its independence. Formal democracy of new organization of justice could not prevent reinforcing its repressive role under totalitarian regime. At the end of the Soviet period in 1980s and 1990s the last judicial reform was launched. It has produced a liberal democratic model of justice and entrenched formally independent justice in contemporary Russia.