Historical Background
The development of the Supreme Court reflects the evolution of the Russian judicial system.
Before the 1917 October Revolution, the Governing Senate, established by Peter the Great, served not only as a central executive body but also as the highest judicial authority under the Russian Emperors.
Following the 1917 Revolution, a new judicial system was established. The Supreme Court of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) was founded in early 1923.
With the formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1924, the Supreme Court of the USSR was established as the highest judicial authority for the entire Union. From that point until 1991, the RSFSR Supreme Court operated within a dual judicial structure. It remained the highest court of the Republic, while being subordinate to the Supreme Court of the USSR in matters relating to all-Union legislation and supervisory review. In 1960, the Law "On the Judicial System of the RSFSR" defined the Court's structure and powers, including judicial panels, the Presidium, the Plenum, and the right of legislative initiative.
In the 1990s, the Russian Federation underwent profound transformation alongside large-scale judicial reform as part of the broader restructuring of the state.
Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation became the successor to the RSFSR Supreme Court, emerging as the highest judicial authority for the newly sovereign Russia.
Simultaneously, the priorities of the judicial system were fundamentally redefined. Human rights and freedoms were proclaimed the highest value, and the recognition, observance, and protection of these rights became a central responsibility of the state.
Within this new constitutional framework, the status of the judiciary was strengthened, and the legal position of judges as independent holders of judicial power was reaffirmed in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation.