Courts of General Jurisdiction
Courts of General Jurisdiction (previously known as people’s court) play an extremely importance role in Russian judicial system because this is where the majority of people whose rights and interests were violated. It is in Courts of General Jurisdiction where criminal cases are examined.
As a result of recent reforms in the judicial system, the concept of “justice of peace” reappeared, which existed in pre-Soviet Russia up until the early 20th century. The justices of peace were intended to relieve some of the regional (municipal) courts where the amount of claim was insignificant. For example, asset splitting during divorce is examined by justice of peace if the amount does not exceed 100 000 rubles; otherwise, such cases are processed by regional or municipal. Or, cases that are relatively simple from the evidence stand point, such as cases where payment is lawfully due, but has not been paid out yet. Or, administrative violations, such as traffic tickets and disqualification from driving are processed. All resolutions by justice of peace could be appealed in regional (municipal) appeal court.
Since most of the arguments in courts o general jurisdiction arise from ordinary disputes and parties do not generally expect that such situations could ever constitute a court case, the requirements for such proceedings are less strict than, for instance, in courts of arbitration. As such, courts often admit testimonial evidence and explanations by individuals; though, written, real evidence and expert opinion are also admitted. Normally, courts of general jurisdiction process cases such as work-place disputes, family disputes (divorces, asset splitting, parental rights etc), wills and estates, debt collection (including guarantee letters and bails), and contestation of resolutions or negligence by state bodies. Since the latest economic crisis the number of court cases related to credit in the public sector increased substantially (quite often, increased credit rates are disputed).
Lawyers and legal experts at Independence provide qualified help in representing violated rights and interests of individuals in Courts of General Jurisdiction in Moscow and Moscow area.