Access to a court file is often essential for understanding the other party’s submissions, reviewing evidence and checking procedural documents. This guide covers civil and administrative cases before Russian courts of general jurisdiction, administrative-offence cases and files held in court archives.
Four-step access process
Choose the correct procedure
| Where the file is held | Main task | Relevant guide |
|---|---|---|
| District court or justice of the peace, first instance | Civil or administrative case, copies, photographs and a request template | Continue with this guide |
| Commercial court | Paper file, electronic access and My Arbitr | Commercial court guide (Russian) |
| Appellate court | Locate the file after transfer and obtain access at the correct court | Appellate court guide (Russian) |
| Traffic police, antimonopoly authority, prosecutor’s office or bailiff service | Review materials outside a court file | Non-court materials guide (Russian) |
Who may inspect a file
In civil proceedings, access belongs to persons participating in the case, including the parties and other participants identified by procedural law. The Russian Code of Administrative Judicial Procedure governs participants in administrative cases. In an administrative-offence case, the person against whom proceedings are conducted has the right to review all case materials; the victim’s rights are regulated separately.
A representative must prove authority. Depending on the type of proceedings and the representative’s status, this may require a power of attorney, an advocate’s warrant or another document prescribed by law. Family relationship, employment by the same organisation or an oral request does not normally replace formal authority.
Checks before filing
- Location. The file may be with the judge, the registry, another instance or the archive.
- Case details. Confirm the number, parties and judge where known.
- Court rules. Booking, opening hours and electronic channels differ between courts.
- Authority. Check the power of attorney, warrant or other representative document in advance.
- Scope. Decide whether you need every volume, specified pages, the hearing record or attachments.
How to submit the request
Use a channel accepted by the relevant court, such as its registry or official electronic reception service. There is no single appointment period applicable to every court and every category of case. Timing may depend on the file’s location and size, transfer between instances and the court’s internal arrangements.
Information to include
- the court and case number;
- the applicant’s name and procedural role;
- a request for access to the materials;
- where needed, a request to photograph or copy materials using the applicant’s equipment;
- contact details for arranging the appointment;
- the date and signature, plus details of the representative’s authority.
Basic application template
To: [name of court]
Case No. [number]
Applicant: [name, procedural role]
Request for access to the case file
I request access to the materials of case No. [number], including all available volumes and attachments, with permission to make notes and copies using my own equipment. Please notify me of the date, time and place of access using the contact details below.
Representative’s document: [power of attorney / advocate’s warrant / other document, where required].
[Date] [Signature] [Contact details]
This is a general starting point, not a filing ready for every dispute. It must be adapted to the proceedings, the applicant’s status and the relevant court’s rules.
What happens at the court
Files are generally provided in a designated room under the supervision of a court employee. Check the number of volumes, attachments and page numbering before working through the materials. A practical order is: inventory and procedural decisions, parties’ submissions, evidence, hearing records and proof of service.
Do not remove documents or alter their order. If a listed item is missing, numbering is inconsistent or materials appear damaged, record the issue and notify the responsible employee.
Photographs and copies
The Russian Civil Procedure Code and Code of Administrative Judicial Procedure give participants the right to make extracts and copies. The Code of Administrative Offences gives the person against whom proceedings are conducted the right to review all materials. State the intended copying method in the request and check the court’s practical arrangements. Special restrictions may apply to protected information, so access does not automatically permit unrestricted further disclosure.
Files held in the archive
First confirm that the file has been transferred to the archive and identify the department holding it. Include the case number, year, parties and judge where known. Preparing an archived file may take additional time, so arrange the appointment with the court rather than relying on a universal deadline from an unofficial source.
If access is not provided
- clarify whether the file is with the judge, another instance or the archive;
- submit a written request and retain proof of receipt;
- ask for the applicable procedure and a possible access date;
- if access is restricted without a proper basis, record the circumstances and use the remedy appropriate to the proceedings.
The correct remedy depends on the type of case and the nature of the restriction. An inconvenient date does not by itself prove a violation, while an oral response without checking the file’s location may be insufficient for a reliable legal conclusion.
Frequently asked questions
Can I inspect the file after judgment?
Yes. The right does not automatically end when judgment is announced. First determine whether the file is still at first instance, has moved to an appellate court or has been archived.
Is a judge’s separate permission always required?
Access is organised under the relevant court’s rules and depends on where the file is held. Do not assume that every Russian court uses the same internal procedure.
Can a representative attend without a power of attorney?
Authority must be proved in the form required by the applicable procedural law. The exact document depends on the representative and the type of proceedings.
Can the whole file be emailed to me?
Not in every court or case. Electronic access and scanned copies depend on the court system, technical availability and the status of particular materials.
How much time is allowed for photographs?
There is no universal period. It depends on the file’s size, the court’s schedule and local arrangements. For a large file, specify the scope and ask whether a further appointment can be arranged.
Legal and official sources
- Article 35 of the Russian Civil Procedure Code.
- Article 45 of the Russian Code of Administrative Judicial Procedure.
- Article 25.1 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences.
- Moscow City Court: official case-file access procedure.
Related guides
Request, electronic access and My Arbitr.
Read the Russian guideHow to locate a file after it has been transferred.
Read the Russian guideSeparate rules for access outside court files.
Read the Russian guideLawyer Pavel Petrov can assess the procedural setting and help prepare a tailored request.
Contact via Telegram
This material provides general information only. The appropriate steps depend on the type of case, procedural status and the relevant court’s rules.