Introduction to Russian Public Law

Examination semester: Autumn semester (first time autumn 2006)
Work load: 15 credits (20 lectures/seminar form; reading volume approx. 500 pp (excl legislation))
Language of Instruction: English
Assessment Method: One written home examination (5 working days) and an oral examination graded from A (excellent) to F (fail). Renewed examination is possible.
Course Level: Graduate level.
Responsible for the subject: Professor Dr. Juris Per Christiansen;

General: The course forms part of a cooperation between the Faculty of Law, University of Tromsø, and the Faculty of Law, St. Petersburg State University.


Timeschedule autumn 2007

Exam Autumn 2007
Home exam:

The paper will be handed out Monday the 19th of November at 0900 h and must be delivered Friday the 23rd of November by 1500 h.

Oral examination for those who passes the written exam:
Tuesday the 11th of December.


Previous Exams



Course Syllabus:
William E. Butler: Russian law. 2nd ed. Oxford University Press 2003, except the following chapters: 7,9, 13,14,17 og 19. However, these chapters may be recommended as supplementary reading, in particular, chapters 13 and 14.



“INTRODUCTION TO RUSSIAN PUBLIC LAW”

Cf. decision of 17 October 2002 by the Board of the Faculty of Law at the University of Tromsø (item JF 59-02) to establish the Special Course.

The Special course is developed as part of the Co-operation Agreement between the Faculty of law and the Faculty of law at the Pomor State University (Arkhangelsk).

1. Regulations
The regulations of the optional part of the cand. jur. study at the Faculty of Law at the University of Tromsø apply to the Special Course.

2. Purpose and Content
The Special Course shall provided the students with
- a general overview of the legal sources and method in Russian law,
- an introduction to the main aspects of the federal legal system based on the rules of the Federal Constitution, in particular
o the division of competence between the Federation and Autonomous subunits, including federal agreements on the principle of seperation of powers, on the competence of the Federal Assembly (parliament of the RF)
o the legislative process,
o on the competence of the Federal Government,
o the system of courts, including arbitration.
Information shall be given on
- the implementation in Russian law of international obligations.

Students are invited to write a Master paper (15 credits, cf. small theses today) in English or Norwegian on issues in Russian law within the context of the Special Course.

3. Intake
Applications to participate in the Course must be sent within the time limit set each year. The Faculty may allow participation by others than law-students.

4. Extent
The Course is fixed at 15 credits under the ECTS. The Course will be included in the optional part of the 4th year at the law-study and may, in time, be included in the optional part of the Master degree in Law.

The recommended literature covers approximately 500 to 600 pages, not including relevant legal texts. Recommended literature for the Course is:
William E. Butler: Russian law. 2nd ed. Oxford University Press 2003, except the following chapters: 7,9, 13,14,17 og 19. However, these chapters may be recommended as supplementary reading, in particular, chapters 13 and 14.

5. Teaching
Teaching will take place in the form of a lecture and/or a seminar for 20 hours. Teaching in English will be given normally during one to two weeks in the autumn term. In case the number of applicants is less than three, the Faculty may cancel the Course.

6. Learning requirement
The students shall have a certain understanding of legal sources and the method of Russian law and shall be able to explain the principles of Russian legislative competence at the federal level and have knowledge of the legislative competence at regional level. They shall be acquainted with the dispute resolution system, including arbitration, and with the way international obligations are implemented under Russian law.

7. Examination
The examination in the Special Course consists of a written and an oral part (in English or Norwegian, as the case may be). The written part will be given as a home examination over five working days. The paper shall be typed and shall not exceed 8,000 words. The written part of the examination may consist of practical and/or theoretical questions.

A preliminary examination result based on the written paper will be passed or failed. On condition that the preliminary examination is passed, an oral examination will be held. A final mark is set for the written and oral part combined.

The examination in the Special Course is held at the end of the semester. The Faculty determines the rules on the implementation of the examination.

A student cannot be accepted for an examination in the Special Course more than three times. It is not allowed to take a similar examination at more than one Norwegian university or college during one semester. A candidate failing a home examination in a Special Course has the right to a re-sit.

8. Examination certificate
The mark forms an integral part of the mark for the 4th year law studies, and the mark earned in the Special Course shall be stated in the certificate issued by the Faculty. The candidate may request a copy of the examination protocol.

9. Other Information:
The period of lecture or seminar will be during the autumn semester. Responsible for the Special Course is Professor dr. juris Per Christiansen and Associate Professor Marianna Melentieva of The Faculty of Law at the Pomor State University (Arkhangelsk).