Publication

This RAD issue examines recent legal reforms in Russia. The first article, which focuses on the closing of the High Arbitrazh Court and its merger with the Supreme Court, concludes that political expediency was the prime reason for the merger. The second article then explores why judges are more likely to rule against the government in non-criminal cases than they are in lawsuits brought by state procurators. The reason for this divide is that the judges have closer ties to law enforcement agencies, which makes it harder for them to oppose the latter's requests.