Federal Constitutional Law on National Flag of the Russian Federation
Federal Constitutional Law on National Anthem of the Russian Federation
Federal Constitutional Law on National Emblem of the Russian Federation
Federal Constitutional Law on the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
Russian President Decree on the Wording of the National Anthem of the Russian Federation
Russian President Decree On Heraldic Council at the Russian President
Russian President Decree on State Emblem of the Russian Federation
Russian President Decree on Amending and Supplementing Certain Decrees of the Russian President
December 25, 2000, No. 1-FKZ
Moscow, Kremlin
On National flag of the Russian Federation
It is accepted by the State Duma on December, 8, 2000
It is approved by Council of Federation on December, 20, 2000
Federal Constitutional Law on National Flag of the Russian Federation
The present Federal constitutional law establishes the National flag of the Russian Federation, its description and the order of official use.
Article 1.
The National flag of the Russian Federation is an official state symbol of the Russian Federation.
The national flag of the Russian Federation represents a rectangular panel from three equal horizontal strips: top – white, average – dark blue and bottom – red color. The attitude of width of the flag to its length is 2:3.
Multi-color figure of the National flag of the Russian Federation is placed in the appendix to the present Federal constitutional law.
Article 2.
The National flag of the Russian Federation is lifted constantly on buildings:
Administrations of the President of the Russian Federation;
Council of Federation of Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation;
The State Duma of Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation;
The governments of the Russian Federation;
The constitutional Court of the Russian Federation;
The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation;
The Supreme Arbitration court of the Russian Federation;
The State Office of Public Prosecutor of the Russian Federation;
The central bank of the Russian Federation;
Accounting chamber of the Russian Federation;
Residences of the Representative under human rights in the Russian Federation;
The central selective commission of the Russian Federation.
The National flag of the Russian Federation is lifted constantly (one or together with corresponding flags) on buildings of federal enforcement authorities, on residences of plenipotentiaries of the President of the Russian Federation in federal districts, and also on buildings of bodies of the government of subjects of the Russian Federation.
Article 3.
The National flag of the Russian Federation is hung out on buildings (or rises on masts, flagstaffs) institutions of local government, public associations, the enterprises, establishments and the organizations irrespective of patterns of ownership, and also on apartment houses in days of the state holidays of the Russian Federation.
The National flag of the Russian Federation rises on:
Buildings of diplomatic representatives, consular establishments, residences of chapters of diplomatic representatives and consular establishments when it is connected to performance by the specified persons of official duties, and also on buildings of other official representations of the Russian Federation outside the Russian Federation, including official representations of the Russian Federation at the international organizations, – according to norms of international law, rules of a diplomatic protocol and traditions of a host country;
The courts brought in one registers of courts of the Russian Federation, – as a fodder flag;
The towing courts leading others of court or rafts, – on rostrum a flagstaff or gaff. A vessel, floating under state or a national colors of the foreign state, should at navigation in internal waters of the Russian Federation or during parking in port of the Russian Federation in addition to the flag to lift and carry according to the international sea customs also the National flag of the Russian Federation;
The courts registered in the register of courts of the foreign state and given in using and in possession Russian charterer under the contract of chartering of a vessel without crew (charter-party) to which according to the Code of trading navigation of the Russian Federation the right of navigation under the National flag of the Russian Federation is temporarily given;
The military ships and courts – according to the Ship charter;
The auxiliary courts of Navy fleet used as Russian court of the foreign navigation for performance of works outside the Russian Federation, – as a fodder flag.
Article 4.
The National flag of the Russian Federation is established constantly:
In boardrooms of Council of Federation of Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the State Duma of Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Government of the Russian Federation, in halls of judicial sessions;
In a study of the President of the Russian Federation and in other premises (rooms) intended for carrying out of solemn actions (ceremonies) with participation of the President of the Russian Federation, in studies of Chairman of Council of Federation of Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the State Duma of Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, the Head of Administration of the President of the Russian Federation, plenipotentiaries of the President of the Russian Federation in federal districts, Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Supreme Arbitration court of the Russian Federation, the General public prosecutor of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Central bank of the Russian Federation, Chairman of Accounting chamber of the Russian Federation, the Representative under human rights in the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Central selective commission of the Russian Federation, heads of federal enforcement authorities, federal judges, public prosecutors, and also heads of bodies of the government of subjects of the Russian Federation, heads of municipal formations, chapters of diplomatic representatives, consular establishments and other official representations of the Russian Federation outside the Russian Federation, including official representations of the Russian Federation at the international organizations.
Article 5.
The National flag of the Russian Federation is placed on vehicles of the President of the Russian Federation, Chairman of Council of Federation of Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the State Duma of Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, heads of the state and governmental delegations, chapters of diplomatic representatives, consular establishments and other official representations of the Russian Federation outside the Russian Federation, including official representations of the Russian Federation at the international organizations.
Article 6.
The National flag of the Russian Federation rises (is established) during official ceremonies and other solemn actions spent by federal bodies of the government, bodies of the government of subjects of the Russian Federation and institutions of local government.
The National flag of the Russian Federation can be lifted (is established) during the solemn actions spent by public associations, the enterprises, establishments and the organizations irrespective of patterns of ownership, and also during family celebrations.
The National flag of the Russian Federation daily rises in places of a constant disposition of military units and separate pisions of Armed forces of the Russian Federation other armies and military formations. Ritual of rise of the National flag of the Russian Federation in military units and separate pisions is established by the President of the Russian Federation.
In all cases stipulated by charters of Armed forces of the Russian Federation for carrying out of the Fighting Banner of military unit, the National flag of the Russian Federation attached to a staff is simultaneously taken out. The order of joint carrying out and accommodation of the National flag of the Russian Federation and the Fighting Banner of military unit is defined by the President of the Russian Federation.
Article 7.
In days of mourning in the top part of a staff of the National flag of the Russian Federation the black tape which length is equal to length of a panel of a flag fastens. The National flag of the Russian Federation lifted on a mast (flagstaff), is lowered a little up to half of height of a mast (flagstaff).
During the mourning ceremonies providing to salute of military honors to died (lost) citizen of the Russian Federation, the coffin with a body of the deceased is covered with a panel of the National flag of the Russian Federation. Before burial the panel of the National flag of the Russian Federation is turned off and transferred native (relatives) of the deceased.
Article 8.
Flags of subjects of the Russian Federation, municipal formations, public associations, the enterprises, establishments and the organizations irrespective of patterns of ownership cannot be identical to the National flag of the Russian Federation.
The National flag of the Russian Federation cannot be used as a heraldic basis of flags of subjects of the Russian Federation, municipal formations, public associations, the enterprises, establishments and the organizations irrespective of patterns of ownership.
At simultaneous rise (accommodation) of the National flag of the Russian Federation and a flag of the subject of the Russian Federation, municipal formation, public association or the enterprise, establishment or the organization the National flag of the Russian Federation settles down from the left side from other flag if to stand to them the person; at simultaneous rise (accommodation) of odd number of flags the National flag of the Russian Federation settles down in the center, and at rise (accommodation) of even number of flags (but more than two) – more to the left of the center.
At simultaneous rise (accommodation) of the National flag of the Russian Federation and other flags the size of a flag of the subject of the Russian Federation, municipal formation, public association or the enterprise, establishment or the organization cannot exceed the size of the National flag of the Russian Federation, and the height of rise of the National flag of the Russian Federation cannot be less heights of rise of other flags.
Article 9.
The image of the National flag of the Russian Federation is rendered on air court of the Russian Federation, registered in the State register of civil air courts of the Russian Federation, on military – transport air the court, used for flights for limits of the Russian Federation, and also on the space vehicles started by the Russian Federation, in the order established by the Government of the Russian Federation.
The image of the National flag of the Russian Federation is used as an onboard distinctive sign on the ships, boats and courts of Boundary service of the Russian Federation, and also as a sign of the state belonging of the high-speed courts brought in the State ship register of the Russian Federation or the ship register of the State river navigable inspection on which are given the ship patent, the corresponding ship certificate or the ship ticket.
The image of the National flag of the Russian Federation can be used as an element or a heraldic basis of the state awards of the Russian Federation, and also heraldic signs – emblems and flags of federal enforcement authorities.
Article 10.
Use of the National flag of the Russian Federation with infringement of the present Federal constitutional law, and also violation of the National flag of the Russian Federation entails the responsibility according to the legislation of the Russian Federation.
Article 11.
The present Federal constitutional law inures from the date of its official publication.
The president of the Russian Federation
V.Putin
Moscow, Kremlin
On December, 25, 2000
No. 1-FKZ
December 25, 2000, No. 3-FKZ
Moscow, Kremlin
On National Anthem of the Russian Federation (as amended on March 22, 2001)
Adopted by the State Duma on December 8, 2000
Approved of by the Federation Council on December 20, 2000
Federal Constitutional Law on National Anthem of the Russian Federation
This Federal Constitutional law establishes the National Anthem of the Russian Federation, its description and the official use procedure.
Article 1
Pursuant to Article 70, Russian Constitution, to approve of the music and wording of the Russian National Anthem according to Appendices 1 and 2 hereto.
Article 2
The Russian National Anthem is an official national symbol of the Russian Federation.
The Russian National Anthem represents a musical and poetic work perform in cases envisaged in this Federal Constitutional law.
The Russian National Anthem may be performed in an orchestra, choir, orchestra/choi or any other vocal and instrumental version. In this case, audio and video records as well as TV and radio broadcasting may be used.
The Russian National Anthem must be performed in strict conformity to the approved of musical version and the wording.
Article 3
The Russian National Anthem is performed:
when the Russian President takes office, after the President took oath;
when heads of governmental authorities of the Russian Federation constituents and heads of local authorities take office;
at opening and closure of meetings of the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly and sessions of the State Duma of the Russian Federal Assembly;
during the official ceremony of lifting the National Flag of the Russian Federation and other official ceremonies;
during ceremonies of meeting and seeing off of foreign heads of state, heads of foreign governments, official representatives of foreign states and also heads of inter-governmental and inter-state agencies arriving to the Russian Federation on official visits, according to the diplomatic protocol;
during military rituals, according to the general military charters of the Russian Armed Forces.
The Russian National Anthem may be performed:
when monuments and memorial signs are opened;
when solemn meetings devoted to national holidays of the Russian Federation are opened and closed;
during any other solemn events held by governmental authorities, local authorities and also governmental and non-governmental agencies.
Article 4
The Russian National Anthem is broadcasted by public TV and radio companies:
on a daily basis – before the start and the end of broadcasting, and in case of 24 hour broadcasting, at 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. local time;
in the New Year night, after broadcasting the striking of the clock at the Spasskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin at 12:00 a.m. local time.
Article 5
In holding official events in foreign countries, the Russian National Anthem is performed in accordance with the rules established by the Russian Foreign Ministry, taking into account the traditions of the country of stay.
Article 6
The Russian National Anthem is performed during official ceremonies during sports events in Russia and abroad – according to the rules of these events.
Article 7
During official performance of the Russian National Anthem, those present are listening to it in standing, men do not wear hats.
If performance of the Russian National Anthem is accompanied with raising of the Russian National Flag, those present turn to the flag.
Performance of the Russian National Anthem in military units, military ships and vessels is governed by general military charters of the Russian Federation.
Article 8
The use of the Russian National Anthem in other musical works and other works of art shall only be allowed in such cases and such manner as established by the Russian President.
Article 9
Performance and use of the Russian National Anthem in violation of this Federal Constitutional Law and also desecration of the Russian National Anthem shall entail liability according to Russian law.
Article 10
To propose to the Russian President and to assign the Russian Government, within three months from the date when this Federal Constitutional Law takes effect, to bring their regulations in conformity with this Federal Constitutional law.
Article 11
This Federal Constitutional Law shall inure upon its official publication.
Russian President V. Putin
The wording of the Federal Constitutional Law is published in The Rossiyskaya Gazeta of December 27, 2000, No. 2608, in The Parlamentskaya Gazeta of December 27, 2000, No. 245-246, the Collection of Laws of the Russian Federation of December 25, 2000, No. 52 (Part I), Art. 5022
The Federal Constitutional Law of March 22, 2001, No. 2-FKZ, amended this Federal Constitutional Law
December 25, 2000, No. 2-FKZ
Moscow, Kremlin
On State Emblem of the Russian Federation
Adopted by the State Duma of December 8, 2000
Approved of by the Federation Council on December 20, 2000
Federal Constitutional Law on National Emblem of the Russian Federation
This Federal constitutional law establishes the National Emblem of the Russian Federation, its description and official use procedure.
Article 1
The National emblem of the Russian Federation is an official governmental symbol of the Russian Federation.
The National emblem represents a quadrangular red heraldic shield, with rounded lower angles, acute on edged, with a golden double eagle that raised his unfolded wings. The eagle has two small crowns and a larger one over them; the crowns are connected with a ribbon. The eagle holds a scepter in its right pad and the globe, in its left pad. There is a silver horseman in a blue raincoat on a silver horse, who strikes with a silver spear a knocked down and horse-tread black dragon, which is placed on the chest of the eagle, in the red shield.
Drawings of the Russian National Emblem in multi-colored and a mono-chrome version are placed in Appendices 1 and 2 to this Federal Constitutional Law.
Article 2
Reproduction of the National Emblem of the Russian Federation is allowed without a heraldic shield (as the main figure – a double eagle with the attributes listed in Article 1 of this Federal Constitutional Law) and also in a mono-chrome option.
Article 3
The National Emblem of the Russian Federation in the multi-colored version is placed on letterheads of:
federal constitutional laws and federal laws;
decrees and orders of the Russian President;
resolutions of the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly;
resolutions of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation;
resolutions and orders of the Russian Government;
resolutions of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation;
resolutions of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation;
resolutions of the Supreme Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation;
President of the Russian Federation;
Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation;
State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation;
Government of the Russian Federation;
Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation;
Supreme Court of the Russian Federation;
Supreme Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation.
The National Emblem of the Russian Federation in its mono-chrome version is placed on letterheads of:
the Russian Presidential Administration;
competent representatives of the Russian President in federal districts;
federal executive authorities;
Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation;
Human Rights Commissioner of the Russian Federation;
Counting Board of the Russian Federation;
Central Elective Commission of the Russian Federation;
Central Bank of the Russian Federation.
The mono-chrome version of the National Emblem of the Russian Federation, without a heraldic shield, is placed on letterheads of:
the Inter-Departmental Commission for State Secret Protection;
authorities, agencies and institutions at the Russian President;
authorities, agencies and institutions at the Russian Government;
federal courts;
prosecutor’s offices of the Russian Federation;
diplomatic representative offices; consular departments and other official representative offices of the Russian Federation abroad.
Article 4
The national emblem of the Russian Federation is reproduced on documents identifying a Russian national and on other documents of general national standard, which are issued by the federal government.
The national emblem of the Russian Federation is placed on seals of federal governmental authorities, other governmental authorities, agencies and institutions and also authorities, agencies and institutions irrespective of forms of ownership, vested with inpidual governmental powers.
Article 5
The national emblem of the Russian Federation shall be placed on:
the façade of the building of the official residence of the Russian President;
on facades of buildings of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the government of the Russian Federation, the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, the Supreme Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation, diplomatic missions, consular departments and other official representative offices of the Russian Federation abroad;
in the study of the Russian President;
in meeting rooms of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Russian Government, the Russian Federation Constitutional Court, he Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, the Supreme Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation and other federal courts;
in studies of the Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Federal Assembly, of the Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Chairman of the Russian Government, the Head of the Russian Presidential Administration, authorized representatives of the Russian President to federal districts, the Chairman of the Russian Constitutional Court, the Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, the Chairman of the Supreme Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation, the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation, the Chairman of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation; the Chairman of the Counting Board of the Russian Federation, the Human Rights Commissioner of the Russian Federation, the Chairman of the Central Elective Commission of the Russian Federation, heads of federal executive authorities, federal judges, prosecutors, as well as heads of governmental authorities of the Russian Federation constituents, heads of municipal entities, diplomatic missions, consular departments and other official representative offices of the Russian Federation abroad, including official representative offices of the Russian Federations at international organizations.
Article 6
The national emblem of the Russian Federation shall be placed on border signs (main border posts) and in the points of passage of the Russian National Border.
Article 7
The national emblem of the Russian Federation shall be placed on:
the flag of the Russian President;
military flags of military units;
flags of federal executive authorities as determined by the Russian President;
military ships of the 1st and 2nd rank, in such manner as established by the Russian President;
The national emblem of the Russian Federation may be placed on:
coins;
governmental awards of the Russian Federation and documents to them;
distinctive signs for graduation from higher governmental educational institutions of professional education.
It is allowed to place the National Emblem of the Russian Federation on distinctive signs and overalls for persons in military or governmental service and also to use the same as a heraldic basis for heraldic signs – emblems of federal executive authorities.
Other cases of use of the National Emblem of the Russian Federation shall be established by the Russian President.
Article 8
Emblems (heraldic signs) of the Russian Federation constituents, municipal entities, public associations, enterprises, institutions and agencies of any work of property whatsoever shall not be identical to the National Emblem of the Russian Federation.
The National Emblem of the Russian Federation may not be used as a heraldic basis of emblems (heraldic signs) of the Russian constituents, municipal entities, public associations, enterprises and organizations.
Article 9
In case of simultaneous placement of the National Emblem of the Russian Federation and an emblem (heraldic sign) of the Russian Federation constituent, municipal entity, public association or enterprise, institution or agency, the National Emblem of the Russian Federation shall be placed on the left to the other emblem (heraldic sign), if we look in the face; in case of simultaneous placement of an odd number of emblems (heraldic signs), the National Emblem of the Russian Federation shall be placed in the center, and in case of placement of an even number of emblems (not more than two), to the left from the center.
In case of simultaneous placement of the National Emblem of the Russian Federation and other emblems (heraldic signs), the size of the emblem (heraldic sign) of the Russian Federation constituent, municipal entity, public association, institution or agency shall not exceed that of the National Emblem of the Russian Federation; in this case, the National Emblem of the Russian Federation shall not be placed lower than other emblems (heraldic signs).
Article 10
The procedure for manufacturing, use, storage or destruction of letterheads, seals and other media with the image of the National Emblem of the Russian Federation shall be established by the Russian Government.
Article 11
The use of the National Emblem of the Russian Federation in violation of this Federal Constitutional Law and also desecration of the National Emblem of the Russian Federation shall entail liability according to Russian law.
Article 12
This Federal Constitutional law shall inure upon its official publication.
Russian President V. Putin
The Federal Constitutional Law inured on the date of its official publication.
The wording of the Federal Constitutional Law, without any attachments, was published in The Rossiyskaya Gazeta on December 27, 2000, No. 244, in The Parlamentskaya Gazeta on December 27, 2000, No. 245-246, in the Collection of Laws of the Russian Federation of December 25, 2000, No. 52 (Part I), Art. 5021.
Federal Constitutional Law
No. 1-FKZ of July 21, 1994
On the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
Approved by the State Duma on 24 June 1994
Adopted by the Federation Council on 12 July 1994
SECTION ONE. ORGANIZATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND THE STATUS OF JUDGES
CHAPTER I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1. Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation – Judicial Body of Constitutional Control
Article 2. Legislation on the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
The authorities and procedure for the formation and activity of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall be determined by the Constitution of the Russian Federation and this Federal Constitutional Law.
Article 3. Authorities of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
For the purposes of defending the foundations of the constitutional order, fundamental human and civil rights and liberties, ensuring the supremacy and direct effect of the Constitution of the Russian Federation in the entire territory of the Russian Federation.
1) resolves cases concerning the conformity to the Constitution of the Russian Federation of:
a) federal laws, normative acts of the President of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council, State Duma and Government of the Russian Federation;
b) the constitutions of republics, charters, and laws and other normative acts of constituent entities of the Russian Federation issued on questions under the jurisdiction of bodies of state authority of the Russian Federation and joint jurisdiction of bodies of state authority of the Russian Federation and bodies of state authority of subjects of the Russian Federation;
c) agreements between bodies of state authority of the Russian Federation and bodies of state authority of constituent entities of the Russian Federation, agreements between bodies of state authority of constituent entities of the Russian Federation;
d) international agreements of the Russian Federation which have not entered into force;
2) resolves disputes concerning competence:
a) between federal bodies of state authority;
b) between bodies of state authority of the Russian Federation and bodies of state authority of constituent entities of the Russian Federation;
c) between the higher state bodies of constituent entities of the Russian Federation;
3) in response to complaints against the violation of constitutional civil rights and liberties and in response to requests from courts tests the constitutionality of law applied or applicable in a specific case;
4) gives interpretations of the Constitution of the Russian Federation;
5) gives conclusions on compliance with the established procedure for accusing the President of the Russian Federation of treason or the commission of another grave crime;
6) exercises legislative initiative on issues within its competence;
7) exercises other authorities granted to it by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the Federative Agreement and federal constitutional laws; may also be exercise the rights granted to it by the agreements concluded in accordance with Article 11 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation on the delimitation of subjects of management and authorities between bodies of state authority of the Russian Federation and bodies of state authority of constituent entities of the Russian Federation, if those rights do not contravene its legal character and designated purpose as a judicial body of constitutional control.
The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall exclusively address questions of law.
The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, during the implementation of constitutional court proceedings, shall refrain from the established and study of actual circumstances in all cases where this is under the competence of other courts or other bodies.
On questions concerning its internal activity, the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall adopt Regulations of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation.
Article 4. Composition and the Procedure for the Formation and Term for the Authorities of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall consist of 19 judges, appointed to the position by the Federation Council upon a submission from the President of the Russian Federation.
The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall have the right to carry out its activity in the presence in its composition of not less than three fourths of the total number of judges.
The authorities of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall not be limited by a specific term.
Article 5. General Principles for the Activity of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
The fundamental principles for the activity of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall be independence, collegiality, openness, adversarial procedures and the equality of parties.
Article 6. Binding Nature of Decisions of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
Decisions of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation are binding throughout the territory of the Russian Federation for all representative, executive and judicial bodies of state authority, bodies of local self-government, enterprises, institutions, organizations, officials, citizens and their associations.
Article 7. Guarantees for the Activity of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation is independent in organizational, financial and material-technical respects from any other bodies. Financing of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall be effected at the expense of the federal budges and shall ensure the possibility of independent implementation of constitutional proceedings to the full extent. The federal budget shall annually envisage in a separate line item the funds necessary for supporting the activity of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, which the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall dispose of independently. The budget of expenses of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation may not be reduced as compared to the previous financial year.
The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall independently implement informational and staff support for its activity.
Property necessary to the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation for the performance of its activity and located under its operational management, shall be federal property. The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation may assign the right of operative management of the aforementioned property to structural subpisions included in the composition of its administration.
No limitation of legal, organizational, financial, informational, material-technical, staff and other conditions for the activity of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation established by this Federal Constitutional Law shall be permitted.
CHAPTER II. STATUS OF JUDGES OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Article 8. Requirements Made of Candidates for the Post of Judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
Citizens who have reached at least the age of 40 as of the day of appointment, with an irreproachable reputation, having a higher legal education and work experience in the legal expression of at least fifteen years, with recognized high qualifications in the sphere of law, may be appointed Judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation.
Article 9. Procedure for the Appointment to the Post of Judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
Proposals on candidates to the posts of judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation may be submitted to President of the Russian Federation by members (deputies) of the Federation Council and deputies of the State Duma, as well as the legislative (representative) bodies of constituent entities of the Russian Federation, supreme court bodies and federal legal agencies, all-Russia legal societies, legal scientific and educational institutions.
The Federation Council shall consider the question of the appointment to the post of judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation within fourteen days from the time of receipt of a submission from the President of the Russian Federation.
Each judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall be appointed inpidually to the post by secret ballot. The person appointed to the post of judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall be considered to be the person who has received during voting a majority of the total number of members (deputies) of the Federation Council.
Should a judge leave the composition of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, the submission on the appointment of another person to the vacant position of judge shall be submitted by the President of the Russian Federation to the Federation Council within one month from the day the vacancy forms.
A judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation whose term of authorities has expired shall continue to fulfil the obligations of judge until the appointment of a new judge to the post or until the adoption of a final decision on a case begun with his participation.
Article 10. Oath of Judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
The Chairman of the Federation Council shall, in accordance with the procedure established by the Federation Council, organize the oath for the person appointed to the post of judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation.
Judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall take the following oath: “I swear to fulfil honestly and conscientiously the obligations of judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, and obey only the Constitution of the Russian Federation, and no other thing or person.”
Article 11. Activities and Actions not Compatible with the Position of Judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
A judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation may not be a member (deputy) of the Federation Council, deputy of the State Duma, of other representative bodies, occupy or retain other state or public posts, have a private practice, engage in entrepreneurial or other paid activity, other than teaching, scientific or other creative activity, and such activity must not hinder the performance of obligations as judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation and may not serve as a legitimate reason for absence at a session, unless the consent of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation is given for this.
A judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall not have the right to carry out the defense or representation, other than lawful representation, in a court, arbitration court or other bodies, provide anyone with patronage in obtaining rights or relieving from obligations.
Judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation may not belong to political parties or movements, support them materially, participate in political actions, conduct political propaganda or agitation, participate in campaigns for elections to bodies of state authority or bodies of local self-government, be present at congresses or conferences of political parties or movements, or engage in other political activity. Judges also may not be a part of the leadership of any public associations, even if they do not have political objectives.
Judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall not have the right in the press or other mass media or before any auditorium to state publicly their opinions on questions that could become a subject of consideration at the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, or which is being studied or has been accepted for consideration by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, until the adoption of a decision on that question.
Nothing in this article may be viewed as a limitation of the right of a judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation to express freely his/her will as a citizen and elector by way of voting at elections and referendum.
Article 12. Term of Authorities of Judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
Judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall be appointed to the post for a term of twelve years. The maximum age for occupying the post of judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall be seventy years.
The appointment to the post of judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation for a second term shall not be permitted.
Judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall be considered to have entered their posts from the time when they take their oath. Their authorities shall terminate on the last day of the month in which the term of their authorities expires or in which they reach seventy years of age.
Article 13. Guarantees of the Independence of Judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
The independence of judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall be secured by the fact that they may not be dismissed, by their immunity and the equality of judges rights, as established by this Federal Constitutional Law, the procedure for the suspension and termination judges’ authorities, the right to retirement, the binding nature of the established procedure for constitutional court proceedings, the prohibition of any interference in court activity, the provision to judges of material and social support, and security guarantees, corresponding to their high status.
Material guarantees of the independence of judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation connected with the payment of their labor, the provision of annual leave, social welfare, provision of housing, and social-household servicing, compulsory state insurance for the life and health of judges, as well as for property owned by them and their families, shall be established as applicable to the corresponding guarantees envisaged by the legislation of the Russian Federation for judges of the other highest federal courts. In cases where other legal acts establish for judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation different norms which increase the level of their legal protection and material and social protection, the provisions of those acts shall be applicable.
Article 14. Inability to Dismiss Judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
Judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation may not be dismissed.
The authorities of a judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation may only be terminated or suspended in accordance with the procedure and on the grounds established by this Federal Constitutional Law.
Article 15. Immunity of Judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
Judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall have immunity. They may not be brought to criminal or administration liability applied through court proceedings, detained, arrested, subject to search without the consent of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, with the exception of cases of detention at the place of a crime, with the exception where this is envisaged by federal law to ensure the safety of other persons.
A judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation whose identity could not have been kn