The Supreme Court of Russia has clarified the rules of working and suing during the coronavirus pandemic

On April 21, the Presidium of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation published a review of judicial practice, regarding the spread of coronavirus infection.  The document contains explanations of the various legal situations for both judges and the participants of the criminal, administrative, civil and arbitration proceedings.

In particular, the positions, regarding the procedural deadlines, the possibility of suspending the proceedings, postponing the hearings or extending the procedural period in accordance with the introduced self-isolation regime were voiced in the review.

According to the text of it, the judge has the right to postpone and even suspend the proceedings if the self-isolation regime is in force, and the participants of the process do not have the right to leave the houses for the purpose of going to the court.  At the same time, it is indicated that in each particular case, it is necessary to analyze the situation and make a separate decision, depending on the circumstances of the case.

The powers to extend the period of consideration of cases in connection with the epidemiological situation and self-isolation imposed are given to the chairman of the court and his deputy, as well as the chairman of the judicial committee and the chairman of the arbitration court.  In case of having sufficient grounds, they will be able to increase the time of the cases consideration.

However, the Supreme Court of Russia does not allow automatic transfers of expiring procedural periods in connection with the non-working days of March and April, since the state bodies continued to work during this period.  That is why the reference to the self-isolation period in a case of missing a deadline will not be possible.