ABSTRACT
This chapter examines some sources of pressure upon Russian judges in the 1990s and then evaluates responses to them, including measures already introduced and others under discussion. The responses consist of changes in both procedural law and judicial institutions. The primary causes of the pressure under which judges in Russia work are: the mismatch between caseloads and the number of judges; the complexity of new laws and court jurisdiction; and the inadequacy of staff and administrative support. Procedural reform in Russia has been dominated by a discourse of pragmatism, with justifications for proposals and changes rooted solely in claims about "effectiveness" and "rationality". The drafters of a new Code of Criminal Procedure in Russia have debated a series of procedural simplifications that would save judges time and have strong support among judges. A way to relieve the pressure on judges and improve the performance of the courts is institutional reform.
