Law & Legislation

Russia to lose access to children adopted in US - FM Lavrov

By terminating the Russian-U.S. adoption agreement, Russia will lose access to Russian children who have already been adopted, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says.

11:21 24.12.2012

Over 6,000 sign US Magnitsky Act petition

In two hours, almost 6,000 people signed a petition to make Russian lawmakers, who voted in favor of the US adoptions ban, accountable under the Magnitsky Act.

12:08 23.12.2012

Introduction of compulsory labor as alternative sanction postponed

The State Duma has adopted in its third reading a law postponing until January 1, 2014 the introduction of compulsory labor as a new form of punishment.

17:57 21.12.2012

Prosecutor's pay to rise substantially in 2013

The State Duma has approved in the second and third readings a law substantially increasing prosecutors' salaries as of January 1.

17:23 21.12.2012

Duma bans second entry to foreigners who committed crimes in Russia

The State Duma has approved in the first reading a bill that proposes not allowing foreigners into Russia if they failed to pay fines or if they committed crimes during their previous visits to the country.

16:50 21.12.2012

UN approves Russia-initiated resolution on Nazism

The UN General Assembly has approved a Russia-initiated resolution against glorifying Nazism.

15:26 21.12.2012

Bills to be discussed in advance at Russian public councils

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree pursuant to which bills must be initially discussed at public councils and posted on the Internet.

13:22 21.12.2012

Obama officially announces cancellation of Jackson-Vanik amendment

U.S. President Barack Obama has signed a decree on the cancellation of the Jackson-Vanik amendment. The Jackson-Vanik amendment was adopted by Congress in 1974 and imposed restrictions on trade with the Soviet Union.

10:59 21.12.2012

UK grapples with possibility of introducing a Bill of Rights

A UK commission charged by the government last year with exploring the option of introducing a constitutional instrument in the form of a Bill of Rights submitted a report to parliament this week detailing its findings.

01:44 21.12.2012

Putin: State Duma reaction to Magnitsky Law appropriate

The State Duma's reaction to the adoption of the Magnitsky Law is "an emotional, but appropriate response", Russian President Vladimir Putin said at an annual press conference in Moscow. This refers to the amendment that will close adoption agencies and will terminate the U.S.-Russian agreement on the child adoption.

14:29 20.12.2012

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