Background and objectives

Joint project by the Finnish Ministry of Justice, University of Helsinki Department of Private law and the Legal Academy of the Russian Federation; Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs case No. 98007002

Seminar 2008 at Tvärminne

Objectives

Long-term objectives:

Support to Russian Federation (RF) Legal Academy in centre office of Moscow, St. Petersburg region and State of Karelia for further development of their legal systems and to increase their capacity to meet the challenges of the changing society;
Improved legal security, prognostication and stability in the areas close to Finland

Short-term objectives:

Increase of awareness of the modern European legal culture, legal thinking and research of young researchers and teachers of the RF Legal Academy;;
Adoption of new methodology for provision of new study material in the changing society;
Technical support to RF Legal Academy in developing their Curriculum; and
Support to local experts in organizing training courses and in providing training materials for law drafting with the intention to focus more on rational background and expected impacts of the draft laws.

Activities

Activities in 2008

University of Helsinki (Department of Private Law arranged together with the FR Legal Academy (Moscow) and its regional departments (St. Petersburg, Petrozavodsk) a seminar for young teachers (5 days) on “Legal System in Changing Society” at Biological station of Tvärminne close to City of Hanko in September 8 -12;
Two virtual workshops were established and begin their work at the areas of intellectual property law and process law;
The exchange program of young researchers was postponed to start at the beginning of January 2009. Two Russian and one Finnish young teachers will enjoy close support and supervision of most respected local professors of the legal area concerned, for better understanding and increased knowledge of the European/Russian legal system in that particular legal area.

Activities in 2009

A key result is the on-line communications, which the project started after having had a training session in May 2008 at the Aleksandria studio of the University main campus. The first virtual on-line meeting of the steering group was held in January 2010. In the future, this will allow for organising virtual workshops and starting on-line education in RF Legal Academy’s different affiliates.
The research seminar was organised with success in Petrozavodsk in the beginning of September. Researcher exchange reached its capacity, too. Fourteen young Russian teachers and researchers were visitors at the Helsinki University Department of Private Law and one Finnish researcher visited the main unit of the Russian Federation Law Academy in Moscow. Two workshops consolidated their functions and started joint production of study materials. Almost all project resources reserved for this activity were used.
The project also started this website (at www.helsinki.fi/finruslaw). A more detailed annual report of the project is also available.

Planned new activities for 2010-2011

Preparation of study material
Publication of study material
New study material provided by the working groups;
Consultation for further development of the Curriculum of the FR Legal Academy;
Organization of pilot course for trainers of training for law drafting under this or a separate project.

Organisation

Bilateral co-operation project of the two Ministries of Justice

Project Title: Further Development of the Legal Education and Research in Russian Federation, St. Petersburg and the State of Karelia

Part of the Overall project for Further Development of the Russian Legal Infrastructure

Sector: Justice

Project's starting year and estimated duration: 2008-2011

Implementing Organisation (Finland): University of Helsinki, Department of Private Law
Professor Matti Mikkola as responsible Finnish head
Matti.mikkola@helsinki.fi
+ 358 50 567 3427

Organisation in charge in Russia: RF Legal Academy, Northern (Pedrozavodsk) Branch

Contacts

Project organisation in Finland

• Manager of the project: Professor Matti Mikkola, matti.mikkola@helsinki.fi

• Secretarial services: Ms. Anu Martinkauppi, Secretary of Department, anu.martinkauppi@helsinki.fi, +358 91 91 22 811

• Researcher exchange: Ms. Elena Pletneva, elena.markuskhina@helsinki.fi

Project organization in Russia

• Manager of the project: Mr. Pavel Dumin, Dean of the Faculty of the Continuing Education of the Northern Branch

• Coordinator in Moscow: Mr. Vladimir Gureev, Head of the office of Justice Service

• Coordinator in St. Petersburg: Mr. Danil Rybin, Assistant professor

• Coordinator in Pedrozavodsk: Professor Roman Tumanov, Head of Department

SKYPE contact

• to be added

Reports and protocols of the steering group

Annual report 2009 - see the Finnish or Russian pages.