Chairman - Vyacheslav Lebedev

The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation is the highest judicial body handling civil, criminal, administrative and other cases under the jurisdiction of general courts.

The Supreme Court operates according to the federal law on judicial supervision of general law courts, including courts martial and specialized federal courts.

The court reviews cases as an appellate jurisdiction court exercising supervisory powers and upon discovery of new facts. It also acts as a first instance court in such cases as envisaged by the federal law.

The Supreme Court acts as the superior judicial body to the supreme courts of Russia’s republics, regions and territories, cities with federal status, autonomous regions and territories, and courts of military districts, fleets and forces. In addition, the Supreme Court provides explanations on judicial practice.

As a first instance court, the Supreme Court reviews civil cases contesting non-regulatory legal acts issued by the president, Federation Council chambers and the government, as well as cases contesting non-regulatory legal acts issued by these parties related to citizens’ and organizations’ rights, liberties and legitimate interests.

The authority, order of establishment and activities of general courts are set forth in the Constitution, Civil Procedure Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Federal Constitutional Law “On the Judicial System of the Russian Federation,” Federal Law “On Judges Community Bodies,” Federal Law “On the Status of Judges in the Russian Federation,” and Law of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic “On the Judicial Organization of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic” as far as the legislation does not contradict Russian law and other regulatory acts.

The Supreme Court comprises the Supreme Court Plenum, Supreme Court Presidium, Cassation Board, Civil Case Board, Criminal Case Board and Military Case Board. The court also has a research and advisory board.