A civil claim in Russia should be prepared as a structured procedural document. Its required form, content and attachments are governed primarily by Articles 131 and 132 of the Russian Civil Procedure Code. The exact checklist depends on the claim and on any special statutory procedure.
Short answer: identify the right court, the parties, the claim and its factual basis; state the relief sought clearly; then attach the documents required by the applicable procedural rules. A template cannot replace a check of the current rule and the facts of the dispute.
What a civil claim should identify
Article 131 requires a claim to state the court to which it is submitted and information about the claimant and defendant. It also requires the claimant to describe the alleged violation or threat to rights, set out the claim, and identify the factual circumstances and supporting evidence. Monetary claims normally require the price of the claim and a calculation of the amounts claimed or challenged.
Structure the factual case and the requested relief
The narrative should let the court and the other participants understand what happened, why the claimant considers a right to be affected and what order is requested. The requested relief should correspond to the factual allegations and evidence. A claim involving several defendants may require the requested relief to be specified for each of them.
Attachments are part of preparation
Article 132 governs documents attached to a claim. Depending on the case, this can include evidence of the circumstances relied on, documents confirming authority of a representative, evidence of compliance with a mandatory pre-trial procedure, proof that copies were sent to the other participants, and documents relating to the court fee or a request concerning it.
Practical pre-filing checklist
| Check | Question to answer | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Court | Which court has subject-matter and territorial jurisdiction? | Ensures that the application names the proper court. |
| Parties | Are the names, addresses and procedural roles current and correctly stated? | Helps identify the participants and the route for notices. |
| Claim | What precise order is requested, and how does it follow from the facts? | Makes the requested judicial protection clear. |
| Evidence | Which documents support each material circumstance? | Connects the factual statement with the evidence offered. |
| Procedure | Does a statute or contract require a pre-trial step, or additional documents? | Prevents relying on a generic checklist where a special rule applies. |
Paper and electronic filing
The Civil Procedure Code permits a claim to be filed on paper or electronically. The available electronic route, technical requirements and format of documents should be checked on the official court service immediately before filing. This guide concerns ordinary civil proceedings; arbitration-court and administrative-procedure claims are governed by other procedural codes.
Common drafting risks
- using an outdated template that omits information now required by the Code;
- naming a court without checking jurisdiction;
- stating a payment amount without a transparent calculation;
- describing the dispute without connecting facts to evidence;
- assuming that a pre-trial step or a particular attachment is never required.
Sources
- Article 131 of the Russian Civil Procedure Code — form and content of a civil claim
- Article 132 — documents attached to a civil claim
- Supreme Court guidance on mandatory pre-trial settlement
Need a claim reviewed before filing? A lawyer can assess the procedural route, supporting documents and the requested relief in the context of the specific dispute.