Business programme
26 –28 June 2024
08:00
26.06.2024
26.06.2024
08:30–10:00
08:30–10:00
Best in IT: How to Regulate Stock Ownership Plans to Motivate Employees and to Support the Growth of Local IT Leaders
Деловой завтрак
Congress Centre, VIP restaurant
09:00
26.06.2024
09:00–11:00
09:00–11:00
Dialogue VS Monologue: cooperation between government and business
Деловой завтрак
Hilton ExpoForum, Hall №5-6
Building a constructive dialogue between government authorities and business representatives is essential for the formation and development of a successful economy.
What are the typical mistakes a business makes when communicating with government authorities? What pre-trial dispute resolution tools are possible? What are the prospects for their active application, in particular, the development of mediation? What should businesses expect as part of the tax reform?
What are the typical mistakes a business makes when communicating with government authorities? What pre-trial dispute resolution tools are possible? What are the prospects for their active application, in particular, the development of mediation? What should businesses expect as part of the tax reform?
10:00
26.06.2024
10:00–11:30
10:00–11:30
Non-Profit Organizations without Borders
Congress Centre, conference hall E9
The current realities dictate certain trajectories for the changing legal regulation of the activities of non-profits and are transforming the conditions for their operation. What is the role and place of non-profits in Russia’s foreign policy? How effective is the exchange of experience about the activities of non-profits on the external humanitarian track and their interaction with the government authorities? What are some of the best practices for international cooperation in the legal regulation of the activities of non-profits?
26.06.2024
10:00–11:30
10:00–11:30
Key Trends in Legislative Activity in the Context of the Current Stage of Development of Russia’s National Legal System
Congress Centre, conference hall E10
What are some of the main aspects of how the main trends and focuses of the national legal system impacts lawmaking? What are some of the problems associated with creating a new model of national legislation through the prism of state sovereignty and national interests? What prospects exist for further developing lawmaking in an effort to strictly adhere to constitutional principles, improving approaches to systematization and codification, delimiting levels of legal regulation, implementing priority national projects, and the impact of the technological revolution?
26.06.2024
10:00–11:30
10:00–11:30
Personal Data in the Spotlight
Congress Centre, conference hall D3
Protecting personal data in the digital economy and developing the data economy are among the Russian government’s top priorities. Today, there are numerous issues that need to be resolved in this regard: determining what data can be considered personal, to what extent the depersonalization of personal data helps to protect the rights of the owners of personal data, how to protect biometric and other personal data against leaks and the abuse of rights by personal data operators, and greater legal liability for violations of personal data laws. As the number of new challenges and threats increases concerning the processing of personal data, including the growing interest of foreign intelligence services from unfriendly states in the personal data of Russian citizens, there has been an increase in the number of personal data leaks, which requires a very serious approach to both the legal definition of the criteria for leaks and a comprehensive approach to countering them. Legislation is actively evolving today, as a number of new draft regulatory legal acts and draft amendments to them are being considered, which means their adequacy and compliance with the current level of threats need to be discussed. One of the key problems in protecting personal data is the need to improve the culture of personal data among Russian citizens. Sociological surveys show that more than 60% of Russians complain that they lack the knowledge and skills to protect their data. The proportion of Russians who are willing to disclose their personal data and information in exchange for an advantageous offer from any organization is constantly on the rise. This means a set of government measures needs to be created to inform citizens about what personal data is and how it can be protected. New technologies and the development of services in digital environments have led to an increase in the amount of biometric personal data transmitted when receiving services and performing certain operations. In this regard, Russians regularly have to share such data both when directly contacting government and commercial organizations, and when using various digital services. Meanwhile, the practice of applying new legislation in the protection of biometric personal data could cause a number of difficulties that could possibly require adjustments. What are the main gaps that exist in the legal protection of personal data today? How can we improve existing legislation to meet the current challenges in this regard?
26.06.2024
10:00–11:30
10:00–11:30
Law and Bioethics
Congress Centre, conference hall B1
The accelerated development of science and the emergence and active use of new technologies are having an ever-increasing impact on our understanding of values and not only resulting in legal, but also ethical consequences. One of the key areas of scientific and technological development in modern society, where such consequences are particularly acute, is genetic research. Modern society lacks the tools to effectively regulate the development of specialized knowledge in genetics. An updated regulatory system needs to be created in order to increase the pace and efficiency of genetic research, on the one hand, and adherence to values, on the other. The ethical standards that permeate law protect the interests of all parties in genetic research and define the boundaries within which public interests need to be taken into account. Ethics and morality should precede the legal regulation of research and fill it with the appropriate content, otherwise we run the risk of running into an ever-changing legal position that justifies or prohibits any scientific research. The rapid development of genetics and genomics encourages us to think about the balance of private and public interests, which are essential to the effective modernization of the system for regulating the use of genetic technologies. How can we effectively combine ethical values and the need for accelerated technological development? What is the role of law in striking this balance?
26.06.2024
10:00–11:30
10:00–11:30
New Regional Forms of Intellectual Property in Eurasia: A Common Eurasian Trademark and Utility Model
Congress Centre, conference hall B4
Intellectual property is the central link in any innovation and is used in the process of developing and implementing innovative projects. A key condition for the effective integration of national economies is the creation of regional systems that provide legal protection for industrial property. To ensure the free movement of goods and services in the common Eurasian market, it is crucial to eliminate the territorial nature of IP rights, when an entrepreneur is forced to obtain legal protection separately in each state, which takes a lot of resources and time. The Eurasian system used to provide legal protection for inventions and industrial designs has already proven to be stable and popular among users. Expanding the range of items protected within the Eurasian patent system is one of the main focuses of the programme for the development of the Eurasian Patent Organization in 2023–2028.
26.06.2024
10:00–11:30
10:00–11:30
Smart Legal Regulation of the Economy: Tools for Improving Legislation
Congress Centre, conference hall B2
The state regulates the economy when the market cannot otherwise achieve the necessary balance on its own by imposing additional duties under the fear of punishment or even providing support when appropriate. Smart (effective) regulation means a government policy where the benefits of legal regulation exceed the costs of enforcement, or, in other words, high quality, effective legal regulation based on reliable data. Such efficiency is made possible through the application of smart regulation tools from start to finish (from the development of legal acts to their implementation and subsequent adjustment). When does the state need to increase or decrease economic regulation? What tools can help us understand when this should be? How can we ensure legal regulation is effective?
26.06.2024
10:00–11:30
10:00–11:30
Digital Labelling: An Effective Law Enforcement Tool
Congress Centre, conference hall E12
Reliable, accessible, genuine product information is the foundation upon which modern consumer protection is regulated. The verification moratorium has made the preservation of these principles more complex and created a need for new risk-based regulatory frameworks and digital tools. The national Honest Sign labelling system is one example. Labelling can help improve control (supervisory) activities, improve the quality of the business environment and healthy competition, and it’s a smart and easy way for consumers themselves to verify. Is there a place for such an approach in existing law enforcement practice and what other possibilities exist for further development of the labelling system?
26.06.2024
10:00–11:30
10:00–11:30
Fundamental Research in Law and the Impact of Law on Society
Congress Centre, conference hall D1
The session provides a platform to discuss the results of the latest research on law and will examine such issues as the impact of technological progress on the development of law, new approaches to the protection of human rights, as well as economic and social aspects of law. The session participants will learn about the latest trends in legal science and discuss their impact on our lives. What modern fundamental research in the legal field is noteworthy and why? How is legal science influencing the development of the state and society?
26.06.2024
10:00–11:30
10:00–11:30
Parameters of a Fair Tax System. Expectations and Possible Difficulties
Congress Centre, conference hall D4
The State Duma is discussing parameters for the modernization of the tax system. The amendments are expected to be the most extensive in recent times. These circumstances force businesses and the professional community to pay increased attention to possible innovations. In particular, the changes affect all major taxes: personal income tax, income tax, VAT, as well as the most sensitive issues for entrepreneurs associated with the ‘fragmentation’ of business, tax benefits for IT companies, and tax rules for controlled foreign companies. However, several issues have not yet been clarified in the bill. For example, the bill does not contain clear criteria for the ‘fragmentation’ of business, and the Russian government has yet to determine the parameters for the provision of a federal investment deduction. The session participants will discuss certain aspects of tax reforms, in particular the upcoming amnesty for the ‘fragmentation’ of business, the parameters of the federal tax deduction, as well as how to apply tax benefits. How can a business determine whether a group of companies is a single economic entity and whether it qualifies for amnesty? What are the expectations of business concerning the main parameters of the federal investment deduction? How can we strike a balance in public and private interests in terms of increasing the personal income tax and corporate income tax rates?
26.06.2024
10:00–11:30
10:00–11:30
Doing Business outside Russian Jurisdiction: Legal Risks
Congress Centre, conference hall E11
In recent years, businesses have faced unprecedented restrictive measures, making business incredibly difficult to conduct within Russian jurisdiction as well as outside it: when leaving the orbit of Russian jurisdiction, businesses face unfavourable macro conditions created especially for them, attempts to exclude Russians from joint ventures on any pretext, and the inaccessibility of the global financial system. What challenges lie in wait for Russian businesses? What forms of legal protection are there to safeguard their interests? And which jurisdictions offer the most favourable conditions for their further development?
26.06.2024
10:00–11:30
10:00–11:30
IPOs: Areas for Improvement to Protect Investors’ Rights
Congress Centre, conference hall B3
In light of the significant growth in the number of public offerings in 2023–2024 and the dominant role of individual investors, special attention should be paid to mechanisms for protecting the rights of the investors participating in public offerings. In the natural relationship between the organizer of the placement, the issuer, and the investor, what responsibility should be borne by the organizer? Can the investor claim damages from the organizer? Maintaining the share price after the transaction. Is Russian law duly armed to deal with these situations? Disclosure of information by issuers both at the IPO and upon completion of the public offering: should there be an adaptation to fit the needs of retail investors?
12:00
26.06.2024
12:15–13:45
12:15–13:45
Unfair Practices in the Consumer Market
Congress Centre, conference hall E11
The use of unfair practices by businesses in the consumer market is a highly important public and social issue, since they are often based on manipulation, the risk of adverse consequences from accepting the proposed conditions, and the use of various pre-contractual practices that influence the will of consumers, which result in the latter concluding disadvantageous or unnecessary additional contracts. Preventing unfair practices by businesses that adversely affect consumers is a priority focus that society and the state need to concentrate on in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the State Policy Strategy of the Russian Federation for the Protection of Consumer Rights for the period until 2030. What is the best way to protect consumers against unfair practices? Are there enough mechanisms in place to ensure consumer protection is effective? Does anything need to change?
26.06.2024
12:15–13:45
12:15–13:45
Legal Technologies, Design, and other Innovations in Managing Legal Functions
Congress Centre, conference hall B1
The evolution of technology is leading to changes in the approaches and requirements for certain professions. The legal profession, which has always been associated with pen and paper, is rapidly developing. The daily work of a lawyer no longer involves just a single computer, but a whole range of devices. A company lawyer who had previously been responsible for a certain area of work must now have an entirely different set of skills in order to replace a colleague at any time. What is the optimal way to organize the work of a legal department at a major company? How can measure a legal department’s effectiveness? How is the legal function being automated? Is legal design a trend or a necessity?
26.06.2024
12:15–13:45
12:15–13:45
A Lawyer’s Word: Law Visualization 2.0
Congress Centre, conference hall D1
Law and art are two worlds that are seemingly far apart from one another, however, there is a unique interdisciplinary space in the area where they overlap. Cinema and theatre represent a mirror in which society sees a reflection of its values, stereotypes, vices, and, last but not least, legal norms. We see artistic images form social behavioural models. Heroes of the stage and screen often define public consciousness, the concept of good and evil, morality, and justice. Truly popular works create rules and replace law in some cases. How can we choose between beautiful fiction and ‘legal truth’? What needs to be done so as not to create a funhouse mirror that distorts social relations? What is a lawyer willing to tolerate and turn a blind eye to in a work of art, and what is considered unacceptable? Is it appropriate for lawyers to be involved in the creation of plays and film scripts? Can we improve the legal literacy of society through art?
26.06.2024
12:15–13:45
12:15–13:45
Legal Education in the BRICS Nations: On the Path to Integration
Congress Centre, conference hall D3
Expanding the constructive dialogue between BRICS countries makes it possible to deal with completely different issues, including legal education and how the high-quality training of legal specialists impacts the development of national jurisdictions and the BRICS integration process. What joint steps are needed to improve the quality of legal education in BRICS countries? What goals should we set and what results should we expect in the short and long term? What experience should representatives of BRICS countries pay close attention to?
26.06.2024
12:15–13:45
12:15–13:45
Interactive session ‘The Vera Zasulich Case: For and Against’
Congress Centre, conference hall D2
26.06.2024
12:15–13:45
12:15–13:45
The Russian and Global Carbon Unit Market: Problems and Prospects
Congress Centre, conference hall B3
As part of decarbonization and the national energy transition, climate legislation has been active in recent years. Key regulatory acts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions have been adopted, a necessary regulatory framework established to regulate the release of carbon units from climate projects, and a system of emission quotas launched within the framework of the Sakhalin experiment. In 2023, a registry was created for climate projects and carbon units issued into circulation and for use in transactions and regulations introduced into legislation to develop relations in the production and consumption of electricity generated by low-carbon generating facilities alongside new decarbonization instruments for generation attributes and certificates of origin. However, for the market to function properly here and abroad, a number of important issues remain to be resolved to determine the nature of the relations governing the issue and turnover of carbon units (quotas) and applicable legislation, the legal qualification of carbon units (quotas), generation attributes and certificates of origin, rules governing such instruments, and issues around liability and forefeiture.
26.06.2024
12:15–13:45
12:15–13:45
Digital Justice: A Step into the Future
Congress Centre, conference hall E10
Advanced technologies in the justice system are having a major impact on the modern legal space. Leading experts are ready to discuss the digitalization of law as part of their common goal of debating the prospects for the digital transformation of justice, sharing their experience in introducing innovative solutions, and tracing the path to the modernization of the legal system through the prism of technology. What is the future of digital law? What will the legal space look like in the near future?
26.06.2024
12:15–13:45
12:15–13:45
Marketplaces: Platforms or Trade? In Search of Regulatory Models
Congress Centre, conference hall E9
E-commerce once again demonstrated significant growth over the past year: turnover increased by 38% (to RUB 7.9 trillion), while the number of orders grew by 60% (to 4.5 billion orders). According to various estimates, almost every fifth product in Russia is purchased online. Much of this growth is being driven by marketplaces – service platforms where millions of buyers can meet hundreds of thousands of sellers. Marketplaces let people buy almost any product from anywhere in Russia and have it delivered within a reasonable timeframe. Sellers can peddle their wares regardless of where they are located. At the same time, the rapid growth in marketplaces is attracting more and more attention from the government, which has begun searching for models to regulate marketplaces in 2024. What failures of marketplaces should the government correct and how can this be done so as to provide a new impetus to e-commerce?
26.06.2024
12:15–13:45
12:15–13:45
Customs Know-How in Relation to Replenishing Public Coffers
Congress Centre, conference hall E12
As Russia’s foreign trade turnover declines and the target indicators for the collection of customs duties increase, the customs authorities are looking for new ways to boost customs duties. The use of such methods raises numerous questions from a legal, economic, and political standpoint. When one agency performs fiscal tasks without taking into account the general tax implications in violation of the principle of equal taxation, while testing the elasticity of the law and ignoring the general goals of creating a conducive investment climate and modernizing production with advanced technologies, this does more harm than good to the state’s interests. Judicial control is designed to have a stabilizing effect on the economy, since the law must be applied uniformly, regardless of the financial situation in the country. Unfortunately, however, judicial practice in customs disputes shows that during an economic downturn, judges take a pro-budget position and are not above ignoring or distorting legal norms.
26.06.2024
12:15–13:45
12:15–13:45
Russia’s Financial Market: What Does the Future Hold? (A Dialogue Between the Regulator and the Regulated)
Congress Centre, conference hall B4
The Russian financial market has been in the process of adapting to major changes and the transformation that followed since 2022. In this period, the conditions for working with global institutions have changed, as has the way financial institutions operate within the country. The new reality facing the financial market in combination with rapidly changing external conditions has required immediate legal regulation. New legal regulations continue to be formed for financial market participants even today. How has the financial market weathered this period? How are the interests of financial market service users being protected? What features define the current state of financial market architecture? What legal approaches may the new market architecture require to keep developing?
14:00
26.06.2024
14:30–16:00
14:30–16:00
Abuse and Manipulation of the Concept of Human Rights as a Tool of Political Pressure in the International Arena
Congress Centre, conference hall B4
On the world stage, the topic of human rights over the past quarter century has become a tool for numerous states to promote their own opportunistic political and economic interests. Manipulation and doublespeak have been purposely used to give an entirely different meaning to generally accepted terms and concepts that are enshrined in universal and regional instruments. In addition, people who abuse this topic in order to combat ‘undesirable regimes’ often hide behind the plausible pretext of protecting human rights. The growing global geopolitical confrontation has intensified these trends and given rise to the concept of ‘legal aggression’. How does the destructive politicization of human rights issues by individual states manifest itself, and what are its implications for universal and regional international platforms? Are there effective ways to counteract this phenomenon? What could the further instrumentalization and politicization of human rights issues lead to from the standpoint of the international system for the protection of human rights?
26.06.2024
14:30–16:00
14:30–16:00
Legal Protection of Russia’s National Interests in a World Order Undergoing Transformation
Congress Centre, conference hall D1
Major changes are taking place in political, economic, and legal relations between states. A new model of the multipolar world is being formed, and the shape it eventually takes depends on all participants in international politics. Russia consistently defends its sovereignty, its spiritual and moral values, a fair and just world order, and the basic principles of international law, calling for representatives of different cultures and traditions to engage in a productive dialogue. Russia has well-defined national interests and development goals, the protection and achievement of which must be ensured by law. What legal mechanisms can be used for this purpose? How, in the current geopolitical climate, can we use the law and the potential of the law enforcement system to counter new global threats and challenges? And how can we ensure that the needs of the individual, society, and state in terms of safe and sustainable development are met?
26.06.2024
14:30–16:00
14:30–16:00
Bankruptcy 2024: New Trends
Congress Centre, conference hall B1
In this era of global changes, it is important that the law respond to new challenges immediately. And the dynamic legal institution of bankruptcy is no exception. The first half of 2024 has already set the year apart among the professional community for the number of fundamental new legal positions: the granting of Russian courts jurisdiction over the bankruptcy of foreign companies, adjustments to the system for redistributing the tax burden for insolvents, new insolvency thresholds proposed by the legislator, and the unification of procedural rules for the consideration of separate disputes in bankruptcy cases. In what cases is the bankruptcy of a non-resident company in the Russian Federation permissible? How can we compromise between the fiscal interests of the governing body and the claims of bankruptcy creditors? How do the participants and management of a corporation protect their property rights when attempting to resolve a corporate conflict through insolvency?
26.06.2024
14:30–16:00
14:30–16:00
New Challenges and Modern Solutions in Antimonopoly Regulation
Congress Centre, conference hall B2
The existence and development of a diverse market economy is based on protecting competition, ensuring competitive market relations, and preventing monopolistic activity. In 2024, the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. It is difficult to overestimate the antimonopoly service’s importance as a key component of Russia’s public, political, and social life. Over the past 20 years, Russia has created and developed the foundations needed to protect competition: legislation on antimonopoly activities, government procurements, state defence procurements, advertising, trade, tariffs, and foreign investment in strategic industries. Antimonopoly requirements have also been introduced into industry-specific legislation. What challenges do the antimonopoly authorities face today amidst economic transformations and the growing influence of technology and innovation? How effective are the existing antimonopoly response measures, taking into account the experience that the antimonopoly authorities have accumulated over the years of their operation? What prospects exist for the development of new enforcement tools that can increase the efficiency of providing competitive conditions in the Russian Federation and abroad?
26.06.2024
14:30–16:00
14:30–16:00
Professionalisation of Legal Aid: ‘Homework’ Inspired by the 11th Forum
Congress Centre, conference hall D2
A discussion was held on the topic ‘Legal Services Market and Legal Representation’ on the sidelines of the 11th St. Petersburg International Legal Forum. Possible scenarios for regulating the legal profession were discussed in order to properly ensure that citizens are entitled to receive qualified legal assistance, as well as minimize and prevent poor-quality services and cases of fraud. As a promising model of regulation, the majority of the session participants agreed that only someone with the status of a lawyer should be entitled to provide legal services, including for the further professional development of legal representation. Based on the results of the discussion at the previous Forum, the main conceptual approaches were formulated for legal representation, as well as how to improve the regulation of the legal practice. These issues need to be discussed once again with participants and the professional community, including professional legal representation, along with ways to expand the forms of legal entities, opportunities for lawyers to work under employment contracts, and the regulation of the institution of advocacy.
26.06.2024
14:30–16:00
14:30–16:00
Criminalization and Decriminalization: Striking a Balance
Congress Centre, conference hall B3
The use of criminal law to deter people from carrying out socially dangerous acts requires states to take current threats and challenges, as well as the specifics of social relations and the significance of protected values, into account. In a rapidly changing world, crime is undergoing an equally rapid transformation. At the same time, new crimes are appearing, while certain actions are no longer regarded as socially dangerous. The changes that are taking place require an immediate response from the state, while the stability of legislation continues to be the most important indicator of its effectiveness. Criminal legislation implies the existence of two seemingly mutually exclusive trends – criminalization and decriminalization. During the session, participants will discuss how to find a balance between these trends, with due account of the positive developments that have taken place in criminal legislation. The criteria for establishing and excluding criminal liability, as well as ways of complying with these criteria in lawmaking practice, will also be discussed. How should specific areas of legal relations be taken into account when recognizing acts as criminal or non-criminal? Where is criminal law and the practice of its application heading?
26.06.2024
14:30–16:00
14:30–16:00
Regulating the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Education and Science
Congress Centre, conference hall E10
The legal regulation of artificial intelligence over the past few years has transformed from an unconventional task into a challenge for the legal community worldwide. This is above all due to the development of technology itself. Until recently, when speaking about artificial intelligence, we were referring to a self-learning programme capable of automating routine tasks based on big data. However, so-called ‘generative AI’ is a system that can independently create images and texts. Speaking at the Artificial Intelligence Journey Conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin called its introduction a new page in the life of humanity. Each year, AI is increasingly being used in various industries, such as medicine, transport, and ensuring public order. Science and education are no exception. The emergence and rapid development of generative AI is precisely what has prompted lawyers working in education and science to think about the need for legal regulation in this area and find answers to numerous questions. Who is legally and morally responsible for AI-generated educational content? Who verifies it? Who owns the copyright? How will copyright holders, i.e., ordinary people, be protected?
26.06.2024
14:30–16:00
14:30–16:00
Law of the East: Do We Know It?
Congress Centre, conference hall D3
The pivot to the East that has been seen in Russia’s foreign policy over the past two years has significantly altered the landscape of the country’s foreign economic relations, which cannot help but affect the development of legal education, legal science, and legal practice. Educational programmes with in-depth study of Eastern languages are emerging, the legal systems of individual Eastern states (mainly China and Arab countries) are becoming the subject of systematic scientific and practical research, and major law firms are opening divisions and practices that specialize in work in Eastern jurisdictions. This session aims to bring together members of the academic community who work with the legal systems of Eastern countries and practitioners with experience in such jurisdictions to discuss the further development of the Eastern focus of legal education, legal science, and legal practice. What kind of geography and scope exists in Russian academic research on the legal systems of Eastern countries, and how in demand is such research in the legal community and legal practice? What are the current focuses for the development of higher legal education and the prospects for continuing professional education (professional retraining) programmes in the light of Russia’s foreign policy and foreign economic pivot to the East? What are some of the peculiarities of organizing and running a legal business in Eastern countries? What are some of the distinctive features of the legal culture, as well as professional and business ethics in Eastern countries? What do the legal systems of individual Eastern countries have in common and what makes them special from the standpoint of a legal researcher and a practicing lawyer? What are some of the specifics of the settlement of disputes in the courts and arbitration institutions of Eastern countries? What prospects exist for creating alternative international centres in international commercial and investment arbitration in Eastern countries? How can we understand the forms and methods of international cooperation in Eastern countries?
26.06.2024
14:30–16:00
14:30–16:00
Openness and Transparency of the Electoral Process: Practices of Civil Society’s Involvement in Independent Election Observation
Congress Centre, conference hall E12
More than 60 countries are holding presidential and parliamentary elections in 2024. Over 2 billion voters will take part in them. In Russia, the most important sociopolitical event took place in March 2024, when the prospects for the country’s further development were determined with the election of the Russian president. Public observers played a key role in ensuring the openness and transparency of the electoral process and have formed a highly professional community over the six years since they were institutionalized. Public control over electoral processes is an effective tool for ensuring that people are able to lawfully express their will, preventing illegal forms of participation in electoral processes, and developing an active civic position in Russian society. As international observations of election voting become politicized with the use of arbitrary criteria for their assessment, independent public observers who work in accordance with national legislation based on a standardized observation procedure are playing a greater role. International observers highly value the ‘gold standard’ of public observation used in Russia as a tool for ensuring the openness and transparency of the electoral process. What kind of experience do Russia and other countries have in terms of civil society institutions participating in the public observation of electoral processes? What is the legal community’s role in providing expert support for elections and advising citizens on electoral issues?
26.06.2024
14:30–16:00
14:30–16:00
International Law: A Perpetual Motion Machine in Need of Repair?
Congress Centre, conference hall E9
On the one hand, international law is perpetual and an established part of human life. It originated to regulate relations between distinct subjects – representatives of different peoples and tribes. On the other hand, international law often comes under attack from various individuals since it cannot always appropriately respond to all manifestations of life: from emergency situations and economic restrictions to the ineffectiveness of procedural institutions. However, to date, no new ideal regulator of international interaction has been established. How do people view the current viability of international law, and what are some possible ways to reform it?
26.06.2024
14:30–16:00
14:30–16:00
Succession and Estate Planning: A Glance into the Future
In partnership with Gazprombank
Congress Centre, conference hall D4
In just a little under ten years, we have witnessed the evolutionary development of inheritance law in Russia. The emergence of new legal institutions in Russian legislation helps stimulate entrepreneurial activity, develop economic relations and social stability, and preserve traditional (family) values. The legal order in place today provides an opportunity to choose not only for large businesses, but also for the emerging middle class as part of ensuring the interests of heirs and society. In a rapidly changing world where social and economic metamorphoses are often unpredictable, the flexible legal instruments that are available to participants in civil transactions are crucial to prosperity and stability. The idea of the primacy of individual will, coupled with the need to respect the interests of the state, should become the basis for the drafting of effective and internally consistent legislation. A bill has been introduced to the Russian State Duma on the possibility of transferring control over a personal fund to management companies as professional participants in the securities market. At the same time, work is underway to improve legislation in terms of perfecting the mechanism for creating personal funds and regulating their activities.
16:00
26.06.2024
16:45–18:15
16:45–18:15
Russia–Asia Dialogue: The role of Law in Strengthening Investment and Trade Cooperation with Business Partners in Asia
Congress Centre, conference hall B2
Throughout 2023, Russia continued its efforts to alter the structure of foreign business in the country, as an ever-increasing share of Asian partners entered the Russian market. Trade and economic interaction with Eastern countries continued to expand, and in some areas it virtually supplanted Western businesses. Russia and China are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2024. The two countries continue to actively develop their close partnerships. Trade between Russia and China increased by 27.7% in dollar terms in January–October 2023 compared with the same period of the previous year and amounted to USD 196.482 billion. Exports from Russia to China increased by 12.4% to USD 106.405 billion, while imports from China rose by 52.2% to USD 90.077 billion. Russia and India also continue to develop their relations, as Moscow and Delhi reconfigure business ties amidst sanctions. In April 2024, Delhi hosted the 24th meeting of the Intergovernmental Russian-Indian Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Cultural Cooperation after a five-year break. The two countries are seeing record volumes of trade turnover, which grew almost 2.9 times to USD 33.5 billion in the first half of 2023 compared with the same period in 2022. Delhi has also stated that its partnership with Russia is one of the future drivers of India’s economic growth. Positive trends have also been seen in Russia’s relations with other BRICS countries. What steps does Russia need to take to improve legal mechanisms that aim to regulate business ties with its Asian partners? How can we ensure the security of foreign investments?
26.06.2024
16:45–18:15
16:45–18:15
Legal Regulation of the Introduction of Healthcare Innovations
Congress Centre, conference hall D4
Russia needs to create its own critical technologies or take them to a new level, including the manufacturing of drugs. Developing this key segment is crucial to ensuring the country’s technological sovereignty. In this regard, the issue of regulatory support for innovations related to the healthcare system takes on added importance. One of the main goals in this regard is to increase the efficiency, volume, types, and quality of medical services in line with the needs of the population as well as the advanced achievements being made in medical science. Often, the direct incorporation of new technologies into practice is hampered by the insufficient flexibility of the regulatory system. This leads to difficulties both in terms of the development of and ensuring subsequent access to drugs and, as a result, the significant limitation of patients’ ability to receive modern, high-quality medical care. Issues concerning regulatory support are important for innovations related to digital technologies, additive technologies, biomedical cell products, molecular genetic research, and much more. In this regard, it is crucial to pay attention to and discuss ways to draft legislation on issues related to the development of such medical technologies, as well as approaches to their inclusion in the public funding system and ensuring their effective use. What legal norms are currently limiting factors and which ones will create the conditions needed to develop and introduce innovative technologies in the clinical practice of Russian healthcare? What are the risks of introducing artificial intelligence into healthcare? What financial opportunities exist for artificial intelligence in healthcare? What mechanisms could be proposed to take into account the absence or insufficiency of data needed to adopt a decision on funding? Are doctors and the healthcare system ready to use innovative medical technologies?
26.06.2024
16:45–18:15
16:45–18:15
Criminal Law: Crime and Punishment
Congress Centre, conference hall E10
The discussion will open a new stage in the interdisciplinary study of the fundamental problems of criminal law and statutes, including the moral, religious, philosophical, and historical foundations of criminal law, the social conditioning of modern criminal policy, and the development of criminal law and legislation. Today, there are a number of key problems, including the criminalization of new socially dangerous acts; the identification and elimination of unworkable provisions of criminal law; improving the effectiveness of punishment and the balance of the criminal law system; protecting the country’s economic interests, including the return of lost assets to state ownership; ensuring the protection of the public and the state against terrorist and extremist threats and organized crime; upholding historical truths; and protecting traditional spiritual and moral values. What are the most important aspects of modern scientific research that meet the current needs of practical activities? What are some of the specific features of comprehensive legal and methodological support to counter socially dangerous encroachments on the territory of new regions?
26.06.2024
16:45–18:15
16:45–18:15
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Countering the Propaganda of Radical, Extremist, and Terrorist Activities
Congress Centre, conference hall B1
In the early 21st century, one of the most serious problems for social development worldwide was the need to combat extremism and terrorism in all their many forms of manifestation. The Concept for Countering Terrorism in the Russian Federation cites the dissemination of ideas related to terrorism and extremism through the Internet and the media as one of the main factors that facilitates the emergence and spread of terrorism in Russia. Artificial intelligence plays a huge role in countering the propaganda of radical, extremist, and terrorist activities. The use of modern technologies, artificial intelligence, and neural networks makes it possible to achieve better results, save time, and quickly analyse a large amount of information. A comprehensive approach helps to quickly and effectively investigate crimes related to terrorist activities, as well as develop a set of measures to counter and prevent terrorism. Will artificial intelligence technologies help to effectively combat extremism and terrorism? What prospects do they have for use in the future? What can be done to stop hackers and who will win the technology race?
26.06.2024
16:45–18:15
16:45–18:15
International Courts Versus National Courts: Finding a Way Out
Congress Centre, conference hall E9
Conceived by States as subsidiary bodies in relation to their national judicial systems, international courts and quasi-judicial institutions have been instrumental in promoting the judicial cooperation across the globe for the last 50 years. Judges at different levels in different countries have benefited from an enriching judicial dialogue through international adjudication. The cooperation and interaction between national and international courts reached the highest point in the legal history along with the unprecedented level of acceptance of international judgments by national judicial systems. More recent developments have, however, tainted both the authority and credibility of some long respected international judicial institutions, raising doubts at their sustainability and even their raison d’être. The subsidiarity and cooperation left place to strained relationship that States are no longer willing to accept. Accordingly, the acceptance of international judgments by national courts and other actors is likely to fall beyond the critical line. What happened to the checks and balances that had long kept the international adjudication within its statutory and acceptable limits, thus ensuring its positive impact ? What choices are left to national decision-makers when the critical rift is being reached as a result of frivolous attitude by some international courts to international law, let alone their own established jurisprudence ?
26.06.2024
16:45–18:15
16:45–18:15
Legal Regulation, Practice and Prospects for Out-of-Court Settlement of Financial Disputes
Congress Centre, conference hall D1
What are the current trends in disputes between financial consumers and financial institutions? How can we combat unfair practices employed by financial organizations? What problematic issues does the financial ombudsman face in his work when considering appeals from consumers of financial services? What needs to be improved in the current procedure for the out-of-court settlement of disputes by the financial ombudsman and to develop the institution of financial ombudsmen?
26.06.2024
16:45–18:15
16:45–18:15
Not All Real Estate is Moveable Property. The Qualification of Movable and Immovable Property When Calculating Property Tax in the Electricity Sector
Congress Centre, conference hall B3
In recent years, there have been active discussions about classifying property into movable and immovable for tax purposes. Five years ago, the Russian Supreme Court, seeking to unify law enforcement practices, proposed conceptual approaches that would eliminate certain legal uncertainties in this regard. The court’s decision was supposed to ensure uniformity in judicial practice, which, in turn, would help to fairly distribute the tax burden among taxpayers. However, subsequent clarifications from the Federal Tax Service and the judiciary, and, as a result, mass control measures initiated by the tax authorities with respect to electric power companies put this problem back on the radar once again. Such actions could lead to billions in additional taxes and significantly increase the financial burden of companies. The law enforcement and judicial practices emerging in the electric power industry could spread to other sectors of the economy, which makes these issues even more important. The common understanding and consistent application of legal norms should be an important step towards strengthening the legal and economic system, which would benefit both public institutions and private economic entities and help create a favourable business climate and increase investment.
26.06.2024
16:45–18:15
16:45–18:15
Modern Trends in Legal Management and Consulting
Congress Centre, conference hall D3
The effective interaction of companies’ legal services and legal business is a key issue amidst the digital transformation of the economy. Building a systematic dialogue between them is crucial to ensuring proper legal protection for business, the successful development of local rule-making, as well as preventing risks and various types of legal liability. What principles should the legal departments of companies and the legal business follow in their interaction? In what cases can legal departments and law firms engage in long-term strategic cooperation? What tools can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of a partnership when a legal business solves problems brought to them by the customer? What key issues arise when legal departments and law firms collaborate? How can representatives of the legal business reach the required level of customer focus and immersion in the specifics of a customer’s activities?
26.06.2024
16:45–18:15
16:45–18:15
Regulation of the EAEU Space: Protection Mechanisms and New Opportunities for Business
Congress Centre, conference hall B4
Ten years have passed since the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union was signed on 29 May, eventually leading to the establishment of the Court of the EAEU. It is time to reflect on what has been achieved and use the experience gained to outline ways to move forward, to further improve the institutions and legislation in place within the Union, to assess the place of its judicial body, the Court of the EAEU, in strengthening the rule of law in the EAEU, in protecting the rights and legitimate interests of states and economic entities on the basis of the Treaty on the EAEU and other legal acts of the Union, and in ensuring its uniform application by member states and Union bodies. The successful resolution of these tasks, achievement of goals, and implementation of principles enshrined in the Treaty on the EAEU by its member states would be unthinkable without a systematic and constructive effort on the part of the Court of the EAEU, in accordance with its expertise, to work together with the Eurasian Economic Commission and other bodies within the Union, EAEU member states, authorized bodies and national judicial authorities, the legal community, and the business community. The effectiveness of the Court depends on a number of factors, not least of which is the awareness of the general public of what this international judicial body means for legal defence in the context of foreign economic activity across the EAEU among others. In this regard, a systematic dialogue must occur with the authorized bodies and judicial authorities of Member States, the legal community, and the business community in order to identify and eliminate gaps in Union legislation, improve its application, and ensure consistent and effective implementation of the goals and principles of the EAEU Treaty. What is the role of the Court of the EAEU and how has it strengthened legal order? What mechanisms exist for protecting the rights and legitimate interests of the subjects of legal relations regulated by the Treaty on the EAEU and other acts of the Union, including economic entities (legal entities, individual entrepreneurs) from Member States and third countries?
26.06.2024
16:45–18:15
16:45–18:15
Digitalization in Law: Modern Challenges and Regulation
Congress Centre, conference hall E11
26.06.2024
16:45–18:15
16:45–18:15
Opening of the Exhibition "Protecting the Sovereignty of the Russian State: History and Modernity"
Congress Centre, Stand of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation
26.06.2024
16:45–18:15
16:45–18:15
Foreign Trade Lending and Insurance: New Legal Realities in New Markets
Congress Centre, conference hall E12
Необходимость поддержать экспортеров из различных отраслей создает стимулы для государства, финансово-кредитных и страховых организаций для развития правового инструментария по финансированию российского экспорта. Как российская система поддержки ВЭД и финансовый рынок адаптируются под запросы клиентов-экспортеров и формируют комплексные предложения, учитывающие актуальные правовые вызовы и ограничения международной торговли? Как современные механизмы кредитования и страхования внешнеторговых операций от политических и коммерческих рисков позволяют оценить и какие правовые инструменты позволяют сбалансировать риски банка и экспортера? Какие продукты может предложить финансовый рынок бизнесу для поддержки выхода на новые внешние рынки и развития производства? Каковы ключевые тенденции в сфере поддержки и проведения страхования и кредитования экспортно-импортных операций и инвестиций?
26.06.2024
16:45–18:15
16:45–18:15
Back to the Future: Examining Soviet Law’s Influence on Current Legal Systems
Congress Centre, conference hall D2
As Russia restructures its foreign economic relations, Russian businesses have shown a growing interest in studying the features of the legal systems of key trading partners. The Soviet legal doctrine had a significant influence on the development of many of these countries, including China, Vietnam, Laos, Mongolia, Angola, and Cuba. The legal systems that have emerged as a result of this influence use entirely different legal institutions that differ conceptually from the legal institutions of continental law and common law with which Russian entrepreneurs are already familiar. The need to take swift and informed decisions in rapidly changing circumstances related to both trade as well as manufacturing and investment projects underscores the importance for Russian businesses of mastering the basic concepts of the legal thinking of their trading partners, as well as the importance of obtaining a thorough legal analysis of the legal systems that were influenced by Soviet law. What impact does the legacy of the Soviet legal system have on legal relations today? What legal developments could be effectively used in the current conditions?
26.06.2024
16:45–18:00
16:45–18:00
Special Meeting of the Expert Advisory Council of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization on the theme ‘The Security Umbrella of Eurasian Integration’
One of the priority focuses of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is the rapprochement and harmonization (unification) of the national legislation of CSTO member states on issues concerning the organization’s statutory competency. Legislation is the main tool in this regard and is implemented through the drafting of model legislative acts, recommendations, and other legal acts of this nature. During this special meeting, the participants will discuss the main parameters of the system of modern challenges and threats to Eurasian security amidst global transformation, as well as the key focuses of the legal and regulatory counteraction of these threats, and outline prospects for the drafting of model legislation within the CSTO as a crucial security instrument for Eurasian integration.
20:00