The social focus of Russian justice: The spirit and letter of the law in labor dispute judicial practice

About the authors:

Larisa V. Zaytseva, Dr. Sci. (Jur.), Professor of the Academic Department of the School of Law and Administration, University of Tyumen, Tyumen, Russia; l.v.zajceva@utmn.ru https://orcid.org//0000-0001-6134-3734, ResearcherID: A-6167-2017, Scopus AuthorID: 57188810235

Tatyana A. Anbrekht, Cand. Sci. (Jur.), Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Academic Department of the School of Law and Administration, University of Tyumen, Tyumen, Russia; t.a.anbrekht@utmn.ru, https://orcid.org//0000-0002-2050-0323, Scopus AuthorID: 57223092208

Abstract:

Modern Russian justice is characterized by a social focus, as it is largely focused on protecting the social rights of citizens, including labor rights. Judicial statistics demonstrate an increase in the number of court decisions in labor and other related disputes that uphold citizens’ claims. The fundamental social essence of Russian justice lies in the work of the highest courts — the Constitutional and Supreme Courts of the Russian Federation. They not only ensure uniform application of labor legislation but also make a significant contribution to improving labor legislation, ensuring greater effectiveness in protecting citizens’ fundamental social and labor rights. This article substantiates the approach according to which the country’s highest judicial authorities essentially ensure the reconciliation of the “letter” of the law with the “spirit” of the law. Examples are given of how gaps in labor law are overcome through interpretation of the “spirit” of the law, as well as the development of legal positions that amend judicial practice in labor disputes. Taken together, these examples illustrate the sustainable development of labor legislation and its application based on the constitutional principle of respect for working people.

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