The Judiciary

The Civil Courts

The civil courts are responsible for handling criminal and other civil cases. There are four tiers of civil courts.

The local courts hear small criminal cases and civil suits. There are 780 such courts.

The district courts have original jurisdiction over most major criminal and civil cases, and also handle appeals from local courts. There are 78 such courts.

The appellate courts hear appeals from district courts, and also try those charged with crimes against the state. There are 45 such courts, one located in the capital of each oblost.

The Supreme Court of Justice in Novegráde Velíkei is the highest of the civil courts, and hears appeals from the appellate courts and has original jurisdiction over inter-oblost cases.

Each court is headed by a single judge, and jury if needed. For more complex cases, up to three judges may preside. Judges are selected by the Ministry of Justice and juries out of the populace, except in the Supreme Court, where the three judges are nominated by the President and approved by the Council of Nations.

The Special Courts

The special courts, which are organized into three tiers, handle specific types of cases.

The administrative courts handle cases between the government administration and private individuals or businesses. These may include issues involving permits, environmental regulations, social security, and suits against the government. There are 45 local courts, 16 district courts, and the Supreme Administrative Court in Néugrade.

The labor courts handle disputes between workers and employers, especially involving bargaining agencies, working conditions, and workers' compensation. There are 88 local courts, 15 district courts, and the Supreme Labor Court in Vóloğda.

The tax courts handle tax disputes. There are 15 local courts and the Supreme Tax Court in Novegráde Velíkei.

The patent courts handle intellectual property disputes. There are 16 local courts and the Supreme Patent Court in Vítebeske.

Judges in each of these courts are appointed by the Ministry of Justice, except in the Supreme Courts, whose judges are nominated by the President and approved by the Council of Nations.

The Constitutional Courts

The Constitutional Courts are the most powerful, as they have the power of judicial review. As such, they can declare legislation unconstitutional and can overturn the results of any other court within their jurisdiction. The 45 district courts are each presided by a panel of seven judges, and the Federal Constitutional Court in Novegráde Velíkei is presided by fifteen. They are responsible for all cases of constitutionality.

The constitutional courts are almost completely separated from the Ministry of Justice, so that the executive office does not have complete control of them. All justices must be approved by both the President and Council of Nations and serve life terms. They also have their own budget separate from the other courts.