How the four procedures differ
| Authority | Who may apply | What to identify | Main right |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic police | The person charged, the victim, defence counsel or a representative | Case or protocol number, unit and procedural status | Review, notes, copies, audio and video materials |
| FAS | A person participating in a competition-law case | Case number, FAS commission or regional office and the applicant’s status | Review, notes and examination of submitted evidence |
| Bailiff Service | The creditor, debtor or their representative | Enforcement proceeding number, bailiff department and assigned bailiff | Review, notes, copies and submission of additional documents and motions |
| Prosecutor’s office | A citizen whose rights and freedoms are affected by the reviewed application, or a representative | Application details, requested documents or part of the review file and preferred access method | Access to relevant materials within the applicable confidentiality regime |
Accessing an administrative-offence file held by traffic police
Under Article 25.1 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences, the person against whom proceedings are conducted may review all case materials, including audio and video recordings, make notes and make copies at their own expense, including with technical devices. Comparable rights apply, within the limits of their status, to a victim, defence counsel and a representative.
Submit the application to the authority that actually holds the file. State the protocol or case number, the event date, your details and procedural status. Ask the authority to provide the date and place of access, all volumes and electronic attachments and permission to photograph or copy them. If the file has already been sent to a judge or another unit, first establish its current location.
Accessing a FAS competition case
Article 43 of Federal Law No. 135-FZ gives persons participating in a competition-law case the right to review the materials, make notes, submit evidence and examine evidence submitted by others. The right arises in an opened case and depends on the applicant’s procedural status.
The request should identify the central or regional FAS office, case number, commission, the applicant’s status, contact details and the representative’s authority. List electronic attachments and specific documents that should be made available. Check the filing and appointment procedure on the official page of the relevant FAS office.
Accessing a Bailiff Service enforcement file
Under Article 50 of Federal Law No. 229-FZ, the parties to enforcement proceedings may review the file, make notes and make copies. This applies to both the creditor and the debtor; a representative must prove their authority.
State the enforcement proceeding number, the bailiff department, the bailiff’s name, your status and the materials requested. Ask for access to both the paper file and available electronic documents and orders. Applications, motions, complaints and the results of their review may also be transmitted through the Gosuslugi portal within the electronic procedure established by Article 50.1 of Law No. 229-FZ.
Accessing documents at a prosecutor’s office
This procedure should not be confused with unrestricted access to every document held by a prosecutor’s office. It concerns documents and materials connected with the review of a citizen’s application and directly affecting that person’s rights and freedoms. The procedure is regulated by paragraphs 4.15–4.16 of the Instruction approved by Order No. 45 of the Prosecutor General.
Identify the original application, the documents you wish to inspect, whether access will be personal or through a representative and whether you wish to make copies using your own device. A decision to provide access or a reasoned refusal is made within ten days. Access may be restricted where disclosure would affect the rights of other persons or reveal information protected by law.
What to include in the application
- the authority and relevant department;
- the applicant’s full name or organisation name, address and contact details;
- the case, proceeding, protocol or application number;
- the applicant’s procedural status and legal basis for access;
- a request for the complete file, including attachments and electronic documents;
- a request to make notes, photographs or copies;
- the preferred method for arranging the date and time;
- the date, signature and documents proving a representative’s authority.
If access is refused or delayed
Request a written reasoned response and keep evidence of the filing date. The remedy depends on the procedure: a bailiff’s act or omission is challenged under enforcement legislation; traffic-police decisions are challenged under the Code of Administrative Offences; FAS matters follow competition legislation; and a prosecutor’s refusal may be challenged before a superior prosecutor or a court. Before filing a complaint, confirm that the authority still holds the file and that your procedural status and authority are documented.
Legal sources
We can identify the applicable procedure, confirm authority and explain the next safe steps. Request an initial consultation.