JUDICIAL PRACTICE OF THE MOSCOW COURT OF CONSCIENCE (1782-1861)

Purpose. By examples of the judicial practice of the Moscow Court of Conscience to show judgments on civil and criminal cases, protection of personal freedom and determine the place and role of the court of conscience in the Russian system of justice. Methodology and Approach. The study presents some new archival documents of the Moscow Court of Conscience and carries out their historical and legal research, which allows the author to observe court resolutions making. Results. The creation of courts of conscience «unloaded» other courts from minor cases and allowed to consider a wider range of cases than required by the law. The application of the principle of ius naturale in judicial practice contributed to the implementation of the ideas of humanism. The examples of the Moscow Council Court practice showed how the parties were reconciled in civil cases, appealed to mercy in criminal cases and how precedents were set to reduce officials’ highhanded attitude towards personality. The comprehensive analysis of archival and published documents made it possible to determine the place and role of the court of conscience in the judicial system of the Russian Empire. Theoretical and Practical Value. This study, based on the analysis of archival documents, refutes the established opinion about the «worthlessness» of the court of conscience and reveals poorly studied issues related to its activities. The judicial practice of the Moscow Court of Conscience testified to the use of humanistic principles in its activities and contributed to their penetration into society. The results of the study can be used in further scientific research on the history of the court of conscience.

Moscow province, enlightened absolutism, court of conscience, judicial practice, law, natural justice, reconciliation of the parties, mercy, protection of personal freedom

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