Law & Legislation

Russia to draft new measures to help families with children - Medvedev

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced plans to provide financial support for families that have more than one child.

16:43 14.02.2013

Transport Ministry suggests doubling compensation to families of air crash victims

The Russian Ministry of Transport has proposed increasing compensation to the families of air crash victims from 2 million rubles to 4.8 million rubles ($159,630).

15:07 14.02.2013

Russian MP proposes reinstatement of more liberal drunk driving law

State Duma lawmaker Anton Belyakov has submitted a draft law aiming to reinstate an allowance of a 0.2 per mille (0.02% Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)) level for drivers. Belyakov noted that it was necessary to combat drunk driving, rather than punish innocent people because it is virtually impossible for any a person to test absolutely alcohol-free.

14:18 14.02.2013

Government approves initiative on forced treatment of drug users

The Government Commission on Legislation has approved a bill sponsored by the Federal Drug Control Service on the forced treatment of drug users upon a court order.

14:33 13.02.2013

French parliament grants marriage, adoption rights to same-sex couples

After ten days of debates, the National Assembly, the lower house of France's parliament, has passed a bill granting marriage and adoption rights to same-sex couples by a large majority.

12:44 13.02.2013

MPs propose video surveillance in aircraft to prevent in-flight brawls

A group of independent MPs led by Leonid Levin have submitted a bill to the State Duma on mounting video cameras in the passenger and pilot cabins of aircraft to deal with drunken brawls.

12:21 13.02.2013

Russian parliament adopts anti-smoking law by a landslide

The State Duma adopted the anti-smoking law in the third and final reading on Tuesday. It bans smoking at state organizations, universities and schools, hospitals, stadiums, restaurants, trains and by metro stations from June 1, 2013. Only offices and industrial enterprises will be allowed to retain their segregated smoking areas.

11:03 13.02.2013

Duration of house arrest limit in Russia extended

President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill limiting to 1.5 years the maximum aggregate period of detention and house arrest for suspects and the accused.

17:28 12.02.2013

Putin allows Russians to set up professional associations

President Vladimir Putin has signed amendments to the Civil Code and the law on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) allowing groups and individuals to establish unions on Tuesday. Until recently, only legal entities were allowed to form unions.

17:03 12.02.2013

Russian government approves $3,300 compensation for adoptive parents

The Russian government has approved a bill drafted by the Ministry of Education and Science to stimulate adoption in Russia.

13:36 12.02.2013

Top news

Russian courts allowed not to implement rulings of Europe's human rights court

Russia's Supreme Court proposed not to implement rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the provisions of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR).

12:53 09.12.2025

Redomiciliation stalls: How sanctions are shaping new practices for Russian companies

The mechanism for redomiciliating foreign companies to Russian jurisdiction, in effect since 2018, has recently encountered serious obstacles. Taking into account the background of sanctions-related restrictions introduced in 2022 through 2025, it has become extremely difficult to achieve the goal. The situation gave rise to the phenomenon of dual domicile and led to a rise in the number of new litigations, both in Russia and abroad.

12:32 09.12.2025

Soldiers jailed for killing US journalist Russell Bentley

A military court in Donetsk sentenced three soldiers to up to 12 years in prison for torturing and killing Russell Bentley, a 63-year-old U.S. national who collaborated with Sputnik news agency.

14:05 08.12.2025