Russian Federation

[RU] Transparency of Courts to Be Strengthened

IRIS 2009-3:1/32

Andrei Richter

Comenius University (Bratislava)

In December 2008 the State Duma (Russian parliament) adopted and the President signed into law the federal Statute “On Provision of Access to Information on the Activity of Courts in the Russian Federation”.

Among other things the Statute stipulates that full texts of decisions and verdicts of all courts and well as information on appeals and their results shall be published on official Internet sites to be established by the courts in Russia. The texts will be edited to remove information pertaining to State secrets and other secrets protected by law. In addition, all names (except those of participating judges, prosecutors and barristers) shall be replaced with initials or pseudonyms to protect the individuals’ privacy.

There are several important exceptions to this rule (Art. 15). For example no publication on Internet is allowed for court decisions on State crimes or on family law (e.g. on divorce).

The Statute also allows for inquiries on a court’s activity to be made by e-mail; replies then shall be provided within 30 days. Information is to be provided free of charge.

The Statute enters into force on 1 July 2010.