Lawyer in Russia

In order to become a lawyer in Russia, there is no need to complete education in law schools or to pass a bar examination. However, some restrictions apply to those who want to appear in court in criminal matters, since they need to join the Federal Chamber of Advocates. Foreign lawyers in Russia cannot practise Russian law. As a matter of fact, foreign companies usually hire a Russian attorney in order to receive local advice. All in all, the legal profession in Russia is rather liberal.

Admission

As mentioned above, a person does not have to obtain a license to practice law in Russia as a legal consultant. In order to appear in court though, one has to register in the Russian Bar Association. Only persons who have an undergraduate degree in law and a specialist in law or jurist degree are eligible for becoming a lawyer in Russia. Legal education takes four years to obtain a Bachelor degree and 6 years to obtain a master’s degree. Candidates who want to become lawyers in Russia must also pass an oral examination and then they are free to practice.

Forms of practice

Russian attorneys can choose to be in-house lawyers, advocates, state lawyers, judges, lawyers at a consulting company or at a law firm. Most of the Russian companies have experienced in-house lawyers as legal advisers, while advocates in Russia represent clients in courts and work in the Unions of Advocates. Consulting companies usually provide specialists on different legal matters for clients, especially in terms of corporate and tax advice. Nevertheless, graduates of Russian law schools prefer to be employed by a law firm in Russia, where they get experience in one or more departments, such as banking and finance, capital markets, commercial law or intellectual property. Last but not least, judges have to meet strict requirements. They must have Russian citizenship, they must be over 25 years old and with a legal experience that exceeds five years. With the exception of the judges in the Highest Courts of the Russian Federation, this category of legal specialists is appointed by the President of Russia.

Activities

Lawyers in Russia are usually consultants and legal advisors in several matters, regardless of their form of practice. They have the ability to answer to the clients’ questions about legal issues of foreign trade activities, business terms and conditions of foreign contracts, payment in foreign currencies in Russian banks, customs law and practices, taxation, documents and any other problems regarding commercial trading or corporate law. 

BridgeWest offers assistance for setting up a company in Russia, including virtual office and other related services.