Practices
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Russia’s Supreme Court provides second set of recommendations on case handling in the light of COVID-19

08 May 2020

On April 30, 2020, The Presidium of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as “the SC”) adopted the Review on certain matters of judicial practice related to the application of legislation and measures to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) No. 2 (hereinafter “Review”). The release of the second review was known in advance: it was reported on the official website of the SC, and after the release of the first review many unresolved issues remained.

The Supreme Court encourages courts to follow his example and hold trials online

06 May 2020

In view of the ruling of the Presidium of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation and the Presidium of the Council of Judges of the Russian Federation from March 18, 2020 Russian courts have been working in a new “self-isolated” regime for just over a month. Personal reception of citizens in courts is suspended, it is recommended to submit documents through electronic reception of courts, and courts are considering only certain categories of cases.

Corrections to the moratorium

24 April 2020

At the beginning of the month Russian regulators implemented a draft law, which provides for the possibility of the Government of the Russian Federation by its act to introduce a moratorium on initiation of bankruptcy proceedings under natural and man-made emergencies, significant changes in the ruble exchange rate and similar exceptional circumstances (for more details see the update).

It is not required to notify of changes in the terms of the contract with a highly qualified specialist, including the assignment of other work or changes in the address of its performance

16 April 2020

On February 04, 2020, the Russian Constitutional Court recognized clause 2 of article 67 of the Russian Labour Code (employer’s obligation to issue an employment contract within 3 business days from the date of the employee’s actual work authorization or the date of the court’s recognition of civil relations as labor ones) and paragraph 1 of clause 8 of article 13 of the Federal law No. 115-FZ “On the legal status of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation” (obligation of an employer or customer to notify regarding the conclusion or termination (cancellation) of the labor or civil contract with a foreign citizen within 3 business days from the date of concluding or termination (cancellation) of the relevant contract) as constitutionally acceptable.

The Ministry of Labour of the Russian Federation made an explanation for remote work on the period since March 30th till April 30th

15 April 2020

The period from March 30th till April 30th were declared as non-working days with preservation of salary payments under President’s decrees No. 206 of 25 March 2020 “On declaration of non-working days in the Russian Federation” and No. 239 of 2 April 2020 “On measures for people’s sanitary-epidemiological welfare in condition of new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spread”. Since primary intention of decrees is to reduce personal contacts during communication of disease, employers subsequently raised up questions about remote work and compensations during this period.