This article examines the fragile state of the rule of law in Russia, highlighting its complicated relationship with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) since Russia ratified the European Convention in 1998.
Russia
Kazun and Yakovlev (2024), “Who Demands Collective Action in an Imperfect Institutional Environment? A Case Study of the Profession of Advocates in Russia”
This article examines how ethically driven Russian criminal defense lawyers, motivated by professional values and exposure to rights violations, could form a collective force to strengthen professional associations, push for legal reform, and hold law enforcement accountable within a deteriorating democratic system.
Kazun and Yakovlev (2019), “Legal Mobilization in Russia: How Organizations of Lawyers Can Support Social Changes”
The article argues that in Russia, collective action by criminal defense lawyers can drive social change during periods of crisis, but its effectiveness depends on the institutional strength of legal organizations and the stance of their professional elites.
Titaev and Shkliaruk (2016), “Investigators in Russia: Who Creates Practice in the Investigation of Criminal Cases”
Analyzes the role of investigators in the Russian criminal justice process.
Solomon, Jr. (1987), “The Case of the Vanishing Acquittal: Informal Norms and the Practice of Soviet Criminal Justice”
Explains the institutional reasons behind the decrease in acquittals following the death of Stalin due to the fears of judges and prosecutors of being held accountable for bringing unsustainable cases.
Newcity (2005), “Why Is There No Russian Atticus Finch? Or Even a Russian Rumpole”
An exploration of the differences in the societal expectations of lawyers in the United States and Russia, concluding that the sort of respect afforded to Atticus Finch is notably absent in Russia.
Khozhdaeva and Rabovski (2016), “Strategies and Tactics of Criminal Defenders in Russia in the Context of Accusatorial Bias”
Analysis of the institutional weakness of criminal defense lawyers in Russia due to the informal coalition between judges and prosecutors.
Hendley (2017), Everyday Law in Russia
Hendley argues that despite political interference in high-profile cases, ordinary Russians do engage with the legal system in everyday disputes, revealing a more nuanced and pragmatic relationship with the law than commonly assumed.
Smith (1978), The Soviet Procuracy and the Supervision of Administration
Monograph analyzing the evolution and role of prosecutors in the Soviet Union.
Kucherov (1953), Courts, Lawyers and Trials under the Last Three Tsars
A historical look at the 19th-century Russian legal profession, highlighting anarchist trials and how lawyers used jury nullification to win acquittals.