Special Coverage

Owen Pell on the shrinking scope of extraterritoriality in US law

The extraterritorial application of US law in cases that at first glance have little if any connection to the US may have a chilling effect on foreign businesses and authorities. A partner with New York-based White & Case LLP, Owen Pell, sitting in its Moscow office tells RAPSI that the situation is changing with interesting implications for non-US companies.

17:03 26.03.2014

Five myths about Russian judicial reform

Last June President Vladimir Putin suggested merging the Supreme Court and the Supreme Commercial Court and amending the Constitution to match. Since then the State Duma has received many draft laws relating to the merger and the court’s impending relocation to Saint Petersburg. However, some lawyers are vigorously speaking out against any such reform.

18:52 26.11.2013

Navigating the fine line between whistleblowing and espionage

When one reveals classified information, acquired by way of high-level security clearance, to the public at large – is s/he a whistleblower or a spy? What if our hypothetical leaker was motivated at least in part by the desire to expose official wrongdoing, or should that even matter where national security is concerned?

19:31 28.08.2013

Russia's new migration policy

The new migration program is the product of massive reforms announced by President Vladimir Putin in the lead up to the elections, where one’s perspective on the issue of inter-ethnic relations was widely considered to hold the keys to Russia. The plans include new approaches to checking the legality of migration documents, the establishment of special centers for those awaiting deportation, the increased strength of the FMS, and sanctions against employers hiring workers without due registration with the service.

12:34 19.08.2013

A business amnesty: Mission impossible

The idea of an amnesty for thousands of Russian businesspeople who have been sentenced or are in prison under Criminal Code articles on economic crimes sounds utopian in today’s Russia. It was proposed by business ombudsman Boris Titov – but Vladimir Putin, as well as the majority of Russians – have rejected it outright.

16:45 31.05.2013

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