Russia

Abstract

Russia is a civil law country. It is a federation of constituent entities (‘entities’). Laws affecting adults are made mainly at the federal level. Entities have very limited powers in this regard, such as defining the structure of public agencies responsible for implementing federal standards. The judicial system comprises courts of general jurisdiction (which hear both civil and criminal cases), commercial courts, the federal constitutional court, and (in some entities) regional constitutional courts. Courts of first instance are justice of the peace, district, and regional courts. The highest court with general jurisdiction is the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. District courts hear most adult protection cases, for which there are no special tribunals.