Territorial jurisdiction determines which Russian court should hear a civil claim. The answer depends on the defendant, the subject of the claim, the connection with property and the specific statutory rule. Choosing a court only because it is convenient can be a mistake.
Short answer: in an ordinary civil claim, the general rule is to file where the individual defendant lives or where the organisation is registered. Statutory alternatives and exclusive-jurisdiction rules may lead to a different court.
Start with the general rule
Article 28 of the Russian Civil Procedure Code provides the starting point: a claim against an individual is filed at the defendant’s place of residence, while a claim against an organisation is filed at its address. Before preparing documents, check the current address and identify the court district that covers it.
When the claimant may have a choice
Article 29 lists situations of alternative jurisdiction. For example, the rule may differ where the defendant’s Russian residence is unknown, a dispute is connected with a branch office, or the claim concerns categories expressly listed in the Code. The availability of an alternative must be checked against the facts of the particular claim; it is not a general right to choose any court.
When the place is fixed by law
Some claims are subject to exclusive jurisdiction. Article 30, for example, addresses claims concerning rights to land, buildings and other property firmly connected with land, as well as certain other categories. In those situations, the location specified by the statute takes priority over the ordinary rule.
A practical way to check territorial jurisdiction
| Question | What to verify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Who is the defendant? | The individual’s residence or the organisation’s current registered address. | This is the starting point under Article 28. |
| What is the claim about? | The legal relationship, subject of the claim and any link to a branch or property. | A special rule may apply instead of the general one. |
| Is there an express exception? | The current text of Articles 29–30 and other applicable procedural rules. | Alternative and exclusive jurisdiction have different effects. |
| Which court district covers the address? | Official court information and the current address data. | The court name should follow the applicable territorial division. |
Before filing
- write down the exact claim and each defendant;
- collect reliable current address information;
- check whether the dispute concerns real estate, a branch office, a statutory alternative or another special category;
- compare the facts with the current procedural rule before naming the court in the application.
Sources
- Article 28 of the Russian Civil Procedure Code — general territorial jurisdiction
- Article 29 — jurisdiction at the claimant’s option in specified cases
- Article 30 — exclusive jurisdiction
Need to assess a specific claim? The facts, the current address and the applicable procedural route should be reviewed together before filing.