41 ARTICLE THE HISTORY AND CHALLENGES OF REINTRODUCING TRIAL BY JURY IN RUSSIA By Sergey Pashin Author PhD (Law), Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1988 Professor, Higher School of Economics, Moscow E-mail: os-spos@yandex.ru Abstract This article examines the history of trial by jury as practiced in Russia from 1864 to the present. <...> While implementing court reforms, Alexander II intended to eliminate defi ciencies in Russia’s Justice System, such as the slow consideration of cases, disenfranchisement of the accused and incessant corruption. <...> Introduction of jury trials in post-Soviet Russia became possible due to the democratic changes in the early nineteen nineties and the rejection of totalitarianism. <...> In nine regions of Russia, the reintroduction of trials by jury and the practical implementation of this institution were considered to be an evolutionary tool for reforming Soviet legal precedent, which was inquisitional in form and reprising by nature, especially with controversial proceedings. <...> In particular, the introduction of jury trials made it possible to legitimize the rule that evidence obtained in violation of legal norms is inadmissible in procedural law. <...> The method that appeared during judicial system development is the method for misleading the juror during consideration of a case. <...> What’s more, it’s worth mentioning that the accused is not currently allowed to speak in the presence of the jury Volume 1 September 2014 Issue 1 www.kulawr.ru 42 KUTAFIN UNIVERSITY LAW REVIEW during the preliminary investigation about tortures infl icted upon him/ her designed to solicit confessions. <...> The article is also concerned with the problem of “nullifi cation”. <...> Keywords People, nullifi cation of law, judicial system, juror, judicial reform, trial by jury The institution of trial by jury was established in Russia in 1864. <...> It was an integral part of democratic reforms carried out by Tsar Alexander II, who released peasants from serfdom in 1861. <...> A few bodies of the judicial system, such as the Offi ce of Public Prosecutor and the Bar appeared at the same time. <...> Inquest was delegated to investigators - members of circuit courts. <...> The basics of jury trials that could be found in the ancient Russian legal documents, such as the Novgorod Court Certifi cate and the Court Books of 1497 and 1550 were eliminated with the growth of absolutism <...>