Russia's civil procedure rules have undergone a significant wave of legislative change. These amendments took effect in early 2025 and alter how commercial disputes are filed, managed, and resolved in Russian state courts. For international companies with pending claims, outstanding contracts, or exposure to Russian counterparties, the window to adapt is narrow.
Russia's recent amendments to its civil procedure legislation reshape the formal requirements for filing a iskovoe zayavlenie (statement of claim), modify timelines for interim relief, and introduce mandatory electronic court filing for most commercial litigants. Companies with active or anticipated proceedings in Russian courts must review their procedural compliance before filing any new claim or responding to existing ones. The changes apply to proceedings initiated on or after the first quarter of 2025.
This alert explains what changed, which business categories face the greatest exposure, and what immediate actions international litigants should take.
What changed and when it took effect
The amendments affect three core areas of Russian civil procedure. First, the formal requirements for a valid iskovoe zayavlenie (statement of claim) have been tightened. Claims lacking specific documentary annexes are now subject to immediate return by the court – without substantive review. This is a departure from prior practice, where judges frequently invited parties to cure defects before rejection.
Second, the procedure for obtaining an obespechitelnaya mera (interim injunction) has been modified. The threshold showing required for interim relief has been raised. Applicants must now demonstrate a more concrete and documented risk of harm before a court will issue protective measures. Courts in Russia have signalled that boilerplate injunction applications will be dismissed at the first-instance stage.
Third, electronic court filing has become the default channel for legal entities in commercial proceedings. Paper filing remains available only in specific limited circumstances. Parties that miss electronic filing requirements risk procedural default.
All three changes apply to proceedings initiated on or after the effective date in early 2025. Matters already active at that date continue under the prior rules for the duration of the current procedural stage. but any new motion or appeal filed after the effective date must comply with the amended rules.
Which businesses are affected and the compliance deadline
The changes apply broadly to all legal entities engaged in commercial disputes before Russian arbitrazhny sud (commercial court) and general jurisdiction courts. The categories most immediately affected are:
- Foreign companies with ongoing contractual disputes against Russian counterparties
- International investors seeking asset preservation orders or judgment enforcement in Russia
- Companies that have received a Russian court claim and must file a procedural response
- Businesses planning to initiate recovery proceedings under contracts governed by Russian law
The compliance deadline is not a single calendar date. Instead, it is transaction-triggered: each new filing or procedural step after the early-2025 effective date must meet the amended requirements. There is no grace period for first-time errors. A defective iskovoe zayavlenie will be returned, and the filing date – which affects limitation periods – will not be preserved.
Companies with matters before the Arbitrazhny Sud (Commercial Court) system should treat the effective date as already passed. Any claim or motion submitted from this point forward must comply with the amended civil procedure rules.
For a detailed assessment of your exposure to these changes, contact us at info@ferrazwhitmore.com.
Immediate actions for international companies
International litigants should take the following steps without delay.
Audit all pending and anticipated filings. Review every claim or motion in preparation. Verify that each filing meets the new documentary annexe requirements under amended civil procedure legislation. A missing document that was acceptable before 2025 may now trigger automatic return.
Register for electronic court filing. Legal entities must be enrolled in Russia's electronic court filing system before submitting any commercial claim. Registration requires specific credentials linked to the entity's legal identity. Delays in registration can block filing entirely.
Reassess interim injunction strategy. If asset preservation is part of your litigation plan, the application for an obespechitelnaya mera (interim injunction) now requires stronger evidentiary support. Prepare documented evidence of concrete harm – not general assertions of risk. Courts are applying the new threshold strictly.
Check limitation period exposure. If a claim is returned due to procedural defects, the original filing date is lost. This can be fatal where limitation periods under Russian civil procedure are close to expiry. Map all relevant deadlines and build in a buffer for re-filing if needed.
Coordinate with local counsel on appellate filings. Even where a matter predates the amendments, any appeal or new motion filed now is subject to the new rules. International companies relying on foreign-qualified counsel without Russian procedural expertise face a heightened risk of non-compliance. Engaging a lawyer in Russia with active commercial court experience is essential at this stage.
Companies operating across the CIS region should also review our related update on court procedure developments in Kazakhstan, where parallel reforms are under way.
About Ferraz & Whitmore
Ferraz & Whitmore is an international law firm based in Lisbon, advising business clients across 46 jurisdictions including Russia and the broader CIS region. Our commercial litigation practice supports international companies managing court filings, interim relief applications, and judgment enforcement in Russian courts. As a law firm in Russia with cross-border reach, we combine English common law analytical rigour with deep familiarity with civil procedure rules in CIS jurisdictions. Our team has advised on commercial disputes before Arbitrazhny Sud (commercial court) proceedings and assisted clients in managing procedural compliance across multiple Russian-law matters. To discuss how these amendments affect your current or planned proceedings, contact us at info@ferrazwhitmore.com.
Disclaimer: This publication is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information herein should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel tailored to your specific circumstances. Ferraz & Whitmore assumes no liability for actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this material. For advice regarding your particular situation, please contact info@ferrazwhitmore.com.