The Russian Court System Explained
Russia has two main branches of courts. Courts of general jurisdiction hear civil, family, labour, administrative and criminal cases involving individuals. Arbitrazh courts resolve commercial disputes between companies and entrepreneurs. Above both stands the Supreme Court, while the Constitutional Court checks laws for compliance with the Constitution. Knowing which branch hears your case saves months of time.
Courts of General Jurisdiction
The first level is formed by magistrates, who handle simpler matters such as small civil claims, court orders for debt and minor offences. District courts hear most civil and criminal cases at first instance. Regional courts, including the Moscow City Court, hear serious criminal cases and act as appeal courts for district court decisions.
Above them sit appellate courts of general jurisdiction and cassation courts of general jurisdiction, each covering several regions. Moscow cases go to the relevant appellate and cassation court for its district.
Arbitrazh Courts for Business Disputes
Commercial cases start in the arbitrazh court of the region, for example the Arbitrazh Court of the City of Moscow. Appeals go to an arbitrazh appellate court; for Moscow this is the Ninth Arbitrazh Appellate Court. Cassation is heard by an arbitrazh district court. Bankruptcy, corporate disputes and claims against state bodies by companies are also heard here.
A specialised Court for Intellectual Property Rights deals with trademark and patent cases.
How Instances Work
| Instance | What it reviews | Typical outcome |
|---|---|---|
| First instance | Facts and law, hears evidence | Judgment |
| Appeal | Full or partial re-examination | Upholds, amends or overturns |
| Cassation | Correct application of law | Upholds or sends back |
| Supreme Court | Serious breaches of law | Final review |
New evidence is rarely accepted after the first instance, so the file must be complete from the start.
Timelines and Deadlines
Procedural codes set time limits for hearing cases, but real terms depend on the workload of the court and on adjournments. An appeal against a civil judgment or an arbitrazh decision is usually filed within one month. For a criminal sentence, the term is much shorter. Missing a deadline means filing a motion to restore it, which is granted only for good reasons.
Following Your Case Online
Most court information is public. Case cards of courts of general jurisdiction are available on sudrf.ru and on the websites of individual courts. Arbitrazh cases can be tracked on kad.arbitr.ru, where claims and judgments are published. Documents may be filed electronically once you have a qualified account on the state services portal.
Practical Tips for Foreign Parties
- All documents must be in Russian; foreign papers need apostille or legalisation and a certified translation.
- A power of attorney issued abroad should state the powers to sign a claim, settle and appeal.
- State duty must be paid before filing.
- Court notices are sent by post, so give a reliable Russian address.
- An interpreter is provided in criminal cases; in civil matters you usually arrange one.
Court Representation by Attorney E. V. Petrova
Attorney E. V. Petrova represents foreign clients in Moscow courts of general jurisdiction and arbitrazh courts, prepares claims and appeals and explains each stage in English. Send the case number or a copy of the claim to get started.
The main channel of communication with the lawyer is email: lawyer@lawyer-moscow.com.