Transformation of the judicial system structure of the Russian Federation (1993-Present): legal and organizational perspectives

Dinara Minnigulova

VAK Russia 5.1.2 UDC 342.56 Russian Classification of Professions by Education 40.03.01 Russian Library and Bibliographic Classification 6771

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TRANSFORMATION OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM STRUCTURE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION (1993-PRESENT): LEGAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Transformation of the judicial system structure of the Russian Federation (1993-Present): legal and organizational perspectives

АА Аа

Published in Vestnik of the St. Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia · Volume 2025, Issue 4 · Pages 44–55 · Rubric: PUBLIC LAW (STATE LAW) SCIENCES

Received: 14.07.2025 Accepted: 25.12.2025 Published: 30.12.2025 Language of publication: RUS

Authors

Dinara Minnigulova

ORCID

Dinara Minnigulova

Academic degree: doctor of jurisprudence sciences

Science rang: docent

Saint Petersburg University of the MIA of Russia professor · Department of Civil Law and Civil Procedure · Russian Federation

ORCID

ABSTRACT

Introduction. The The judicial branch of government exercises judicial review over law enforcement across the Russian Federation; therefore, the well-functioning of this branch is of critical importance to the state. At the same time, a clearly defined structure of the judicial system is a prerequisite for achieving fair oversight. It is for this reason that the aim of the article is to examine the genesis of the construction of the tiers of the judicial system in conjunction with the evolving hierarchy of the system of normative legal sources regulating this process. Methods. This research is based on the dialectical method and incorporates content analysis of scholarly and regulatory sources. The methodological framework also includes hermeneutic, descriptive, formal-logical, comparative legal, systemicstructural, and heuristic methods. Results. The study presents the author’s periodisation of the reform of the structure of the Russian judicial system (1993–2025). The key directions for its further transformation are identified: the advancement of digitalisation in judicial proceedings, clarifying the status of arbitration tribunals (arbitral institutions) as quasi-judicial bodies within the Russian judicial system and consolidating this status at the level of constitutional legislation, establishing a system of specialised courts, and creating a normative framework for their operation based on a corresponding federal constitutional law. The author considers the establishment of specialised administrative courts to be one of the highest-priority measures. The analysis highlights the connection between the judicial system and public administration in the context of contemporary challenges and the pursuit of sustainable development goals. Consequently, a shared trend in modernising the structure of both the judiciary and public administration is observed, centered on client-centricity, transparency (openness), the application of information and communication technologies, and the principles of “lean management”. Conclusions. The ongoing transformations of the Russian judicial system collectively and consistently advance the sixteenth Sustainable Development Goal, which is to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

KEYWORDS

Russian judicial system, structure of the judicial system, arbitration tribunals, specialised courts, stages of reforming the Russian judicial system, normative framework of the Russian judicial system

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GOST

Minnigulova D. B. Transformation of the judicial system structure of the Russian Federation (1993-Present): legal and organizational perspectives // Vestnik of the St. Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. 2025. no. 4. pp. 44-55. URL: https://vestnikspbmvd.ru/en/nauka/publications/article/6a9c15e032807fdbab86ea77/transformation-of-the-judicial-system-structure-of-the-russian-federation-1993-present-legal-and-organizational-perspectives/view. (Date of access 23.09.2026).

MLA

Dinara Minnigulova. "Transformation of the judicial system structure of the Russian Federation (1993-Present): legal and organizational perspectives." Vestnik of the St. Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia 2025.4 (2025): 44-55. URL: https://vestnikspbmvd.ru/en/nauka/publications/article/6a9c15e032807fdbab86ea77/transformation-of-the-judicial-system-structure-of-the-russian-federation-1993-present-legal-and-organizational-perspectives/view.

APA

Minnigulova D. B. (2025). Transformation of the judicial system structure of the Russian Federation (1993-Present): legal and organizational perspectives. Vestnik of the St. Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, 2025(4), 44-55. URL: https://vestnikspbmvd.ru/en/nauka/publications/article/6a9c15e032807fdbab86ea77/transformation-of-the-judicial-system-structure-of-the-russian-federation-1993-present-legal-and-organizational-perspectives/view

Chicago

Dinara Minnigulova. "Transformation of the judicial system structure of the Russian Federation (1993-Present): legal and organizational perspectives." Vestnik of the St. Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia 2025, no. 4 (2025): 44-55. URL: https://vestnikspbmvd.ru/en/nauka/publications/article/6a9c15e032807fdbab86ea77/transformation-of-the-judicial-system-structure-of-the-russian-federation-1993-present-legal-and-organizational-perspectives/view.

WIKI

{{cite journal | author = Minnigulova D. B. | title = Transformation of the judicial system structure of the Russian Federation (1993-Present): legal and organizational perspectives | journal = Vestnik of the St. Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia | year = 2025 | volume = 2025 | issue = 4 | pages = 44-55 | url = https://vestnikspbmvd.ru/en/nauka/publications/article/6a9c15e032807fdbab86ea77/transformation-of-the-judicial-system-structure-of-the-russian-federation-1993-present-legal-and-organizational-perspectives/view }}

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TRANSFORMATION OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM STRUCTURE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION (1993-PRESENT): LEGAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Transformation of the judicial system structure of the Russian Federation (1993-Present): legal and organizational perspectives

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