A book of Sergey Shakhrai and Konstantin Krakovsky to be presented in the Presidential Library

December 10, 2014 in the Presidential Library will be a presentation of the book "The court fast, just, merciful and equal for all", dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the judicial reform in Russia. Authors of the book are: Doctor of Law, Professor Sergei Shakhray and Doctor of Law, Associate Professor Konstantin Krakovsky. The event will start at 11.00.

Monographic study consists of three parts, revealing key milestones of dramatic history of the Russian court from judicial reform of 1864 - one of the series of the Great Reforms of Alexander II, carried out in 1860-70s, which signified the beginning of the modernization of Russia, until recent events associated with attempts to "restart" the judicial reform in the early, mid and late 20th century.

According to the authors, "constitutional and legal, even civilizational value of the 1864 reform in Russia is truly unique." In 1870-1910-ies there was a successful establishment of an independent judiciary despite the conservative counter-reforms of 1880s. This reform is considered to be starting point in the process of creating a constitutional monarchy in Russia.

The monograph is based on a wide range of sources, most of which was first introduced in the scientific circulation. The book contains portraits of prominent and ordinary lawyers of th past, courthouses and courtrooms interiors, unique documents and photographs, copies of publications of domestic and foreign newspapers of the 19th - early 20th century and many other rare illustrations.

For example, the reader will see a copy of the appeal for pardon written by Dmitry Karakozov (attempted on the life of Tsar Alexander II and sentenced to death by the High Criminal Court); a ticket given to Fyodor Dostoevsky to enter the famous trial of a terrorist Vera Zasulich (1878); Leo Tolstoy's letter to Anatoly Koni, which referred to the work on the subject presented to the writer by the outstanding lawyer (we are talking about the famous novel "Resurrection", which was originally planned to be called "Koni’s story").

Also of interest are numerous "false novels," telling about the most prominent figures of the world court of Russia ("Fathers of Judicial Reform", "Outstanding prosecutors", "Outstanding lawyers", "Outstanding senators", "The Ministers of Justice and General Prosecutors"), and about the most sensational processes of the 19th - early 20th century.

A kind of gallery of reproductions of paintings by famous Russian artists who responded to the huge public interest in the "judicial revolution", paintings vividly illustrating the basic idea of the book - the court fast, just, merciful and equal for all, created by the authors of the book either won’t leave the reader indifferent.

The Presidential Library not for the first time becomes a venue for events attended by Sergei Shakhrai. For example, in March this year Shahray inaugurated the Electronic Museum of the Constitutional History of Russia in the Presidential Library. Technical facilities and advanced equipment of the first electronic national library of the country allow to regularly hold within its walls the official events of any level.

It is also worth noting that the day of the presentation of research work in the Presidential Library guests may visit a book exhibition of almost the same name, "Establishing in Russia a court fast, just, merciful and equal for all." The exhibition reflects the most important and interesting pages in the history of one of the most efficient reforms of the 19th century.

Accreditation for media representatives is until 12.00, December 9:

The press service of the Presidential Library: Alla Ratnikova, ratnikova@prlib.ru, tel.: (812) 305-16-21, ext. 167, mob. +7 (953) 370-38-10.

The letter must specify the name, date and place of birth, full passport details (series, number, where, by whom and when issued), place of registration, the equipment to be used, contact numbers.

Please note: entrance to the Presidential Library for the media is available through entrance N 2 only upon showing the passports!