Abstract: The subject of this research is the impact of assessment of judicial performance in accordance with the indicators of judicial statistics upon the organization of culture of the Russian court, which incorporates the shared by majority of judges informal rules of conduct, traditions, and values. The article describes such criteria for assessment of judicial performance as “quality”, “quantity”, and “terms”. In studying the historical origin of judicial performance assessment based on judicial statistics, it is demonstrated that the tradition of such assessment was founded in the 1930s, when political leadership who carried out repressive policy instigated “socialistic competition” between the courts and the judges. The article analyzes the impact of the “struggle for statistics” upon conduct of judges. Such circumstance that in consideration of cases the judges take into account judicial statistics violate the requirement of procedural fairness. There is a contradiction between the Russian legislation, which for the most part complies with the universally recognized international principles, and conservative organizational culture of the Russian courts. Mechanism of reproduction of the latter is the inertia of the “struggle for statistics”. In order to bring into compliance the representations of Russian judges on the acceptable conduct with the values of democratic justice, the system of assessment of judicial performance requires revision.

Keywords: stability of judicial acts, appeal practice rate, quality of work of a judge, race for statistics, judicial statistics, evaluation of judicial activity, corporate culture of judges, judiciary, number of cases, procedural terms

Abstract: This article provides comprehensive description of the crime established by the Article 274.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The subject of this research is the crimes in the area of information technologies and their circumstances set by the Article 274.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, as well as comprehensive characteristic of criminal impact upon the critical information infrastructure of the Russian Federation. The subject of research also includes the concept of the object of infringement – the critical information structure of the Russian Federation, isolated circumstances of the instance of crime that determine the nature and dynamics of criminal activity thereof, classification and criminalistic characteristic of the objects of crime, essential evidence of unfavorable consequences of undue influence upon critical information structure of the Russian Federation. Definition is given to the concept of the object of infringement – the critical information structure of the Russian Federation. The author examines isolated circumstances the instance of crime that determine the nature and dynamics of criminal activity thereof. Classification and criminalistic characteristic are given to the objects of crime; essential evidence of unfavorable consequences of undue influence upon the critical information structure of the Russian Federation is identified and analyzed. The author concludes that taking into consideration the fact that currently there is no practice, guidelines, recommendations on investigation and detection of crimes established by the Article 274.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, the crimes that fall under the indicated category have even grater latency compared to other crimes of the Chapter 28 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which necessitates the development of guidelines, recommendations, normative legal and local acts on detection, investigation and prevention of crimes in the area of computer technologies.

Keywords: effects of crime, subjects of the crime, dynamics of criminal activity, criminal event, information structure of Russia, critical information infrastructure, information crimes, criminalistic and criminal law characteristics, the concept of the object of encroachment, cybercrime

Abstract: The object of this research is the public relations arising when the prosecutor is involved in court hearing of civil cases by intervening into a case for delivering an opinion in the appellate, cassation and supervisory bodies, as well as problematic aspects of the application of his powers to deliver an opinion in the aforementioned bodies. The subject of this research is the materials of prosecutorial law enforcement and judicial practice, norms of civil procedural legislation of the Russian Federation that regulation these public relations, as well as positions formulated on the matter. Despite the fact, that the scientific literature paid attention to the separate aspects of submission of prosecutorial decision, the questions of submission of prosecutorial decision in the retrial of civil cases did not receive due coverage. Such situation led to a contradictory approach towards the question on possibility of delivering an opinion by the prosecutor in retrial of civil cases in the theory and case law. Therefore, based on the conducted research, the author makes recommendation with regards to exercising prosecutorial powers in submission of decision in retrial of civil cases by the courts, as well as the changes in current legislation that would bring certainty into these legal relations and contribute to elimination of the emerged contradictions.

Keywords: first Instance, civil procedure, retrial, submission, conclusion of the prosecutor, the entry, prosecutor, acts of response, legal means, eliminate Violations

Abstract: The object of this research is the questions of determination of legal status of the prosecutor participating in arbitration proceedings, and problematic aspects pertaining to exercise of his powers in reference to arbitration with a claim, as well as entering the proceedings in accordance with Part 5 of the Article 52 of the Arbitration Procedure Code of the Russian Federation. The subject of this research is the materials of prosecutorial law enforcement practice and case law, as well as the norms of arbitration procedure and civil procedure legislation. The following methods were applied in the course of this work: formal-logical, comparative analysis, comparison, analysis and synthesis, systemic and structural analysis for the purpose of studying separate elements of the legal status of the prosecutor. The author conducted a comprehensive research of the legal status of the prosecutor who participates in arbitration proceedings. A conclusion is drawn that the prosecutor’s status can be defined as a government representative in his participation in the proceeding upon the initiative, or in entering the proceedings in accordance with Part 5 of the Article 52 of the Arbitration Procedure Code of the Russian Federation. In order to determine the legal status of the prosecutor, the author analyzed the powers assigned by the Arbitration Procedure Code of the Russian Federation, as well as describes separated aspects that ate not regulated by the Arbitration Procedure Code of the Russian Federation. Recommendations are given on the improvement of legislation that establishes the mechanism of exercising powers of the prosecutor in the arbitration proceedings.

Keywords: applicant, civil proceeding, state representative, introduction, the prosecutor's conclusion, settlement agreement, powers of the prosecutor, arbitration proceeding, prosecutor, the prosecutor's office

Abstract: This article analyzes the controversial issues of attributing the right of access to justice to the principles of criminal process. The author meticulously examines the origin of the right of access to justice in the Article 52 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. The subject of this research is the norms of Russian and foreign legislation regulating the right of access to justice in criminal process. The object is the legal relations emerging in implementation of the right of access to justice. The article explores regulation of the right of access to justice in legislation of the Russian Federation and CIS member-states. It is demonstrated that the right of access to justice possesses certain characteristics that allow attributing it to the principles of criminal process: it represents an objective legal category that reflects the dominant in society political, legal and ethical ideas, and is most common legal provision in relation to other norms of law. A conclusion is substantiated that absence of the right of access to justice in criminal procedural legislation is a unique case of a gap in the principle of law.

Keywords: principles of criminal justice, principles of justice, gaps in law, criminal process, principle of law, access to justice, stages of the criminal process, criminal procedure law, constitutional law, criminal proceedings

Abstract: The subject of this research is the study of the work of appellate courts of general jurisdiction on revision of criminal cases in higher jurisdiction courts based on the position of their of their geographical location on the territory of the Russian Federation. The five newly formed appellate courts of general jurisdiction do not fully contribute to realization of such principle of criminal procedure as independence of judges, as well as adherence to the requirements on directness and oral nature of judicial proceedings. The goal of this article is to examine the positions of the current appellate courts of general jurisdiction from geographical perspective. For a deeper examination of the appellate peculiarity, the scientific research into this problem was carried out with consideration of the geographical specificity of the territory of Russia and its regions, and thus the level of development of logistical infrastructure in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The scientific novelty consists in the original proposal for creation of twelve appellate courts of general jurisdiction throughout the territory of the Russian Federation with their permanent placement in cities not currently handled by other judicial institutions of higher jurisdiction. Such new approach should fully the citizens’ right to access justice, and also ensure the principle of independence of judges.

Keywords: territorial remoteness, geographical factor, access to justice, judicial district, court proceedings, criminal procedure, court of appeal, judicial reform, transport accessibility, videoconference

Abstract: The subject of this research is the specificity of the case law on criminal cases on involvement in terrorist activity, public calls to action of terrorist activity and propaganda of terrorism. The choice for the subject is justified by the unfolding discussion in the scientific community regarding the reasonableness of introduction of these norms. Analysis of the rulings allows establishing the following parameters, characterizing the current case law on crimes in accordance with Article 205.1 and 205.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (CCRF): socio-demographic characteristics of the convict, prior charges, nature of crime, multiple counts, and sentence. Establishing these parameters can in turn be used to determine the existing problems of qualification of the studied crimes and development of solutions. The main conclusions of the conducted research consists in confirmation of the reasonableness of introduction into the Special Part of the CCRF of norms established by the Article 205.1 and 205.2 of the CCRF, since this legislative solution filled the previously existing gap in the part of arraignment for fruitless involvement and commission of crimes of terrorist nature, as well as material support of terrorist organizations.

Keywords: terrorism financing, terrorism propaganda, justification of terrorism, public appeals, implication, public instigation, terrorist activity, judicial practice, sentencing, prevention

Abstract: This article explores the question of unification of the current legal norms that establish the requirements for the candidacy of the court administrator in the courts of the subjects of the Russian Federation and administrators of district courts. The author examines the current normative requirements of the Russian Federation for candidates seeking the position of court administrator of the subject of the Russian Federation and district courts. Research is also conducted on the legal status of court administrators regardless of the department within the legal system in which they perform their duties. The research is based on the comparative legal analysis of the requirements for the candidates seeking the position of court administrator of the subjects of the Russian Federation and district courts, with concretization of their official duties. The author substantiates the idea, according to which the absence of the legal requirements for the position of district court administrator with qualifying experience for the position of state civil service that would be presented to a candidate for the court of the subject of the Russian Federation, with both positions having practically identical work and function description, testifies to the absence of sufficient unified legal regulation that would eliminate legal indecision.

Keywords: state civil service, experience, requirements, courts, management, judge, the court administrator, authority, activity organization, control

Abstract: The object of this research is some relevant problems of prosecutor’s involvements in examination of criminal cases by the courts. The subject of this research is the materials of prosecutorial and judicial practice, as well as the existing legislation of the Russian Federation. Currently, the participation of prosecutors in examination of criminal cases cannot be referred to as the absolute duty in the work of the National Prosecutor's Office. Therefore, the autho0r determines the problems of subjective and objective character. Human factor can be regarded as the first group: the inappropriate organization of work of the prosecutor’s office or its structural department on ensuring prosecutors’ participation in examination of criminal cases by the courts, as well as the insufficient experience of prosecutors and neglectful attitude to their duties. The second group implies the inadequacies of certain provisions of the existing Federal Law “On the Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation”, including those contradicting the Criminal Procedural Code of the Russian Federation. The author underlines the urgent need for their solution, as well as proposes the original methods to overcome them. Special attention is given to education and self-education of the prosecutors, and bringing the provisions of the Articles 36 – 38 of the Federal Law On the Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation” in compliance with the norms of the Criminal Procedural Code of the Russian Federation.

Keywords: imperfections of legislation, criminal case, the jury, public prosecutor, prosecutor, prosecutor's office, judge, the court, problems, solutions

Abstract: In a systematized manner, this article addresses the most interesting from the author’s perspective findings of foreign scientists, emerged at the interface of technologies and criminal justice. The research covers the questions of selecting pre-trial restrictions, anticipation of committing crime, rapid response upon its commitment, and others. The unifying concept of the review is the theory of Fourth Industrial Revolution. Interpretation of the translated information is accompanied by the author’s analytics, connecting the ideas of foreign researchers and certain theories of national advocates of processualism. The following conclusions were made in the course of this study: 1) it is possible to combine computer aided learning with the patterns of selecting pre-trial restrictions proposed by the Russian scholars; 2) concentration of efforts on comprehension of technological innovations in penal sphere may lead to the creation of “Technological Model of the Criminal Process”.

Keywords: algorithm, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Models of the Criminal Process, machine learning, big data, decision-making, criminal process, predictive decision, cognitive decision, pretrial detention

Abstract: This article discusses the controversial questions emerging in the context of judicial implementation of the Part 6 of the Article 15 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation on changing the grade of the crime for a less grave. The author identifies certain problems in legislative regulation pertinent to the transformation of the category of crime, and suggests the ways for their elimination. Part 6 of the Article 15 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation is viewed through the prism of liberalization and humanization of the criminal legislation. The author notes that the declared vector of liberalization and humanization of the criminal legislation can be realized via introducing the corresponding amendments into the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation. The main conclusion of this research lies in the fact that the enforcement of the Part 6 of the Article 15 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation leads to a number of the criminal legal and criminal procedural issues that contribute to the accomplishment of objectives of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The author underlines that the ambiguity of the legislative formulation casts a doubt on its unambiguous application. In case of revealing contradictions between the criminal and criminal procedure legislations, the priority should take the norms of substantive law, i.e. the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, while the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation should be brought into accord with the criminal law.

Keywords: nature of public danger, criminal policy, liberalization of legislation, humanization of legislation, judicial discretion, category of the crime, degree of public danger, practice of the court, crime, doctrine of criminal law

Abstract: The subject of this research is the norms of the Russian and foreign legislation that regulate the validity of expert testimony in criminal procedure. The object of this research is the legal relations emerging in the course of verification and assessment of expert testimony from the perspective of its validity in criminal procedure. The author carefully examines the criteria of validity of expert testimony in the Russian Federation and the United States. Special attention is given to the criterion of general recognition of expert methodology. The author also reviews the question of the use of specialist opinion for contesting the expert testimony from the standpoint of validity. Based on the conducted analysis, the author states that unlike the U. S. legislation, the Russian legislation does not contain the requirements for validity of the expert testimony, which results in the absence of any competition between the criminal case experts. The author’s main contribution to the research of this topic consists in analyzing the criterion of the general recognition of methodology for settling the question of validity of the expert testimony in criminal procedure.

Keywords: EXPERT, THE RELIABILITY OF THE EXPERT TECHNIQUE, THE USE OF EXPERT METHODS, THE EVALUATION OF THE EXPERT, EVALUATION OF THE RELIABILITY OF EVIDENCE, JUDICIAL EXAMINATION, SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE, LEGAL EXPERTISE, EXPERTISE, EXPERT OPINION

Abstract: The object of this research is the criminal procedural relations forming in the course of preparation for trial within pretrial procedure on criminal cases, including hearing of motions on investigation. The author points out that certain aspects of judicial activity in such legal and social significance remain without proper attention from the legislator. The subject of the research is the institution of trial preparation. Its most interesting aspect is the differentiation of this institution, consequences of this process and its manifestation in the criminal procedural legislation. The author formulates proposals that would allow organizing the procedural work of the judge and other parties in the trial at the pretrial stage of the criminal procedure, including hearing of motions on investigation. Original proposals are devised and substantiated by the author pertaining to the form of realization of the pretrial preparation institution for hearing motions on investigation during pretrial in criminal cases.

Keywords: regulation, norm, branch of law, criminal procedural law, solicitation, lex, jurisprudence, classification of legal institutions, law, investigative actions

Abstract: The subject of this research is the category of subjective interest in administrative judicial procedure. The article analyzes the regulation of the Article 128 (Section 3, Part 1) of the Code of Administrative Judicial Procedure of the Russian Federation that stipulates refusal in accepting an administrative statement of claim in determining by the court the lack of legal interest of an administrative plaintiff. The author considers the scientific positions and the practice of superior courts on the question of establishing by the court of legal interest of an administrative plaintiff in the absence of partied, as well as analyzes the question of interpretation of the concept of subjective interest of an administrative plaintiff, including in legal relations on environmental protection. The following conclusions were made in the course of this work: the question on subjective interest in administrative judicial procedure can be a separate object of dispute, and a plaintiff must be afforded an opportunity to adduce evidence in order to substantiate the presence of interest. The court refusal in accepting administrative statement of claim is inadmissible in case of potential violation of the socially important interests, which can affect the interests of an administrative plaintiff. The author’s special contribution lies in conclusion on the need for adopting clarifications by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federations on the extensive interpretation of the Article 11 of the Federal Law “On Environmental Protection”.

Keywords: Supreme Court's case-law, environmental, preventive claim, Constitutional Court's case-law, administrative procedure Code of the Russian Federation, subjective right, personal interest, Administrative judicial procedure, challenging regulations, subject of law

Abstract: The article examines approaches to the assessment of evidence used by Russian and American courts. The main purpose of the paper was to identify the distinctive features of judicial review of legislation that a lawmaker should take into account while selecting optimal rules for the assessment of evidence in constitutional litigation. The author pays particular attention to the epistemological foundations and procedural aspects of a direct perception of evidence that leads to a conclusion on whether or not facts at issue exist. Using methods of comparative law and analyzing in detail the rules on the assessment of evidence, he determines the historical reasons why Russia adopted the concept of free evaluation of evidence, whereas the United States opted for the objective standards of proof, such as «preponderance of the evidence», «clear and convincing evidence», and «beyond a reasonable doubt». The article demonstrates that rules on the assessment of evidence should take into consideration the structural properties inherent to constitutional litigation, including the consequences of the constitutional decision-making process, the necessity to decide constitutional cases on a probabilistic basis, and the generalized nature of facts affecting the constitutionality of laws.

Keywords: constitutional justice, inquisitorial system of justice, adversarial system of justice, standards of proof, free evaluation of evidence, constitutional litigation, assessment of evidence, legislative fact, probability, relevance of evidence

Abstract: The institution of preparation of criminal cases for trial is defined by the order of procedural actions and procedural decisions at the time of transfer of the criminal case from the prosecutor’s office to the court. The results of the corresponding criminal procedure work of the authorized subjects are defined by the efficiency of trial of the criminal case in court, including such aspect as speediness of trial of the criminal case. The importance of the procedural tasks before the institution of preparation of criminal cases, the need for optimization of the ways and means of their solution actualizes the academic research on the corresponding issues. One of the factors contributing to current increase of academic interest towards this institution is the development of judicial work at the pretrial stages, which seems to require advancement and normative formalization of the precepts of preparation for trial in cases submitted to court by the parties of the criminal justice according to the Article 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation, recommendation of the branch of preliminary investigation on detective work, execution of preventative measures, etc.

Keywords: Pretrial, Legal norms, Trial, Jurisprudence, Law, Judicial process, Court session, Preparation, Institution, Criminal procedure law

Abstract: The subject of this research is the processes and genesis of the evolution of realistic approach towards the methodology of judicial interpretation in comparison to formalistic style of judicial interpretation. Based on the references of the works of the representatives of the school of free will, American and Scandinavian legal realism, as well as modern neorealism, the author determines the key characteristics of the genesis and evolution of realism as a style of judicial interpretation, expounds the trends of its development, answers the question of causes for the leading position of this approach in the modern legal doctrine, primarily in other countries, as well as the policy of judicial interpretation. The novelty of the conducted research consists in determining the trends of evolution of the realistic approach, which evolved (1) from recognition of ambiguity of the meaning of the legal text as the object of interpretation – to the thesis on excessiveness of text for execution of the act of interpretation; (2) from recognition of allowability of textual substitution of interpretation – to establishing the exclusivity of creative interpretation as a specific function of the court; (3) from recognition of limitation of the cognitive function of interpretation – to establishing voluntaristic nature of the act of interpretation; (4) from recognition of institutional limitations, placed on the courts by the principle of delegation of power – to establishment of judicial authority as a new subject of sovereignty.

Keywords: judicial law-making, the school of free law, judicial formalism, the neorealist theory of interpretation, legal realism, methodology of judicial interpretation, creative interpretation, legal positivism, revived natural law, constitutional justice

Abstract: The subject matter of this article comprises legal aspects of marriage and divorce relations of India - one of the biggest partners of Russia – from the position of Indian courts to the questions of procedural resolution of such relations. Marriage and family are the most traditional legal institutions, but even they have changed over time. The article covers the most important facets of the functionality of marriage and family relations – marriage and divorce. The author comes from the subjective-objective orientation processes and phenomena in the surrounding world. From this position, the author uses general scientific methods (system analysis and synthesis of normative and practical materials, etc.) and special legal methods of legal research (comparative, of interpretation of legal norms, etc.). The main conclusions of the research are that approaches vary depending on the personal status of spousal approaches to several issues in the field of marriage and family relations: alimony, consideration of needs of one of the divorcing spouses (usually women), etc. These differentiated approaches provide obstacles to the creation of a uniform regime of such relationship while the case law follows life, filling norms with content that is adequate to life, in order to give full protection to the rights of the spouse receiving support. The results presented in this article are the source of relevant and up to date information about the existing law of one of the fastest growing countries in the world, and thus can be useful for practitioners with ties to India, as well as law enforcement bodies in Russia. It also serves as a source of valuable information that enriches the domestic private law.

Keywords: alimony, property, courts, personal status, legal precedent, divorce, family, marriage, India, children

Abstract: The subject of this article is the legal aspects of matrimonial relations in of the largest partners of Russia – China, from the perspective of determining the role of judicial interpretation in evolution of the procedural practice in this sphere. The traditional family law is considered a legal branch that is less affected by changes; however, the changes take place. The author covers the most essential aspects of functionality of the matrimonial relations – since the conclusion of marriage up until divorce. Special attention is given to the question of appraisal of judicial interpretation by the citizens of People’s Republic of China. The author leans on the subjective-objective set of the processes and phenomena in the surrounding world. The main conclusion of the conducted research lies in the position that under the conditions of ambiguity and contradiction of the approaches of legislation and judicial practice, people themselves take on the protection of their rights. Results of the work serve as a source of relevant information on the acting law of one of the dynamically developing countries of the world, and thus, can be valuable for the practitioners who maintain ties with China, as well as the law enforcement agencies in Russia; it also enriches the science of the national private law.

Keywords: property jointly owned, spouses, judicial Interpretations, litigation, divorce, family, marriage, China, personal property, community property

Abstract: The subject of this research is the application of complex approach towards unification of the norms of civil and arbitrary procedures, as well as consideration of the international experience, successful, implementation of civil law institutions within one group of countries that are unique to these countries, results of scientific examination, historical experience, and account of the established judicial practice in their combination and interconnection as the single complex of conditions necessary for exclusion of the conflicts in unification of the norms of civil and arbitrary procedures in the Russian Federation. The main conclusion of the conducted research consists in the following: there is a need for taking into account the cross-sectoral vector of development and improvement of law, and because the norms of substantive law are closely related to the norms of procedural law, as well as are mutually complementing, emerges the demand in organization of the lawmaking process, considering a specific doctrine. The author suggest systematization of the scientific examination on unification of the norms of civil and arbitrary procedures according to the doctrinal affiliation for the appropriate understanding of applicability of the context of solution, proposed by the result of the research.

Keywords: paradigm of civil procedure , concept of the Unified Civil Procedural Code of the Russian Federation, context of solutions, complex approach, systematic approach, systematization, harmonization of procedural law, civil procedure law, reform of the civil law, codification

Abstract: This article describes the evolution of cultural and legal views of the Supreme Court, which served as a starting point in formation and maintenance of the constitutional rights and freedoms in the Israeli society. The author examines the main stages of the Israeli Supreme Court, as well as provides a description of the main elements that influenced the formation of modern image of the Supreme Court and its role in establishing the legal culture of Israeli society. Particular attention is given to the transformation that took place in the work of the highest judicial authority of the State of Israel over the period of 1980-1990, which consists in transition towards the policy of judicial activism. The goal of the research lies in examination of activities of the Supreme Court of Israel, the analysis of the Court's role in the national legal system and its impact on the legal culture of the Israeli society. Based on the result of this work, the author concludes that the Supreme Court of Israel has played an important role in establishing and ensuring the constitutional rights and freedoms to Israeli society, and until present day, is the founder of legal innovations in the country.  

Keywords: legal convergence, case law, common law, mixed jurisdiction, Supreme Court, Israeli legal system, Israel, legal environment, judicial branch, judicial activism