This article is devoted to the consideration of the meaning and role of the good faith principle in Russian civil law. The good faith principle is one of the well-known and widely used principles in civil law of Russia. In the text, the positions of scientists and law enforcement practice using the good faith principle are considered, the approaches developed by domestic and foreign legal doctrine in relation to it are analyzed, the legal essence of the good faith principle is examined, and a theoretical and practical analysis of this legal concept is carried out. A small comparative legal analysis on this issue is also carried out. The author's contribution to legal research on the good faith principle in law is the systematization of the theoretical positions of legal experts on this topic, and in the course of it, the positions of scientists from different countries are explored. This study uses such scientific methods as analysis and synthesis, formal legal and comparative legal method. Based on the results of the study, conclusions are drawn regarding the essence and purpose of good faith as a civil law principle, a legal concept and the corresponding evaluation category. Also, a number of recommendations for law enforcement are given.