Russian Schools of Legal Theory: A Battle of Views

Sergey Alekseev was an eminent Soviet and Russian legal scholar. He was a doctor of legal sciences, professor, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and an Honoured Scientist of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. Alekseev’s work was closely connected with three cities: Yekaterinburg, Moscow and St. Petersburg. In each of them, he made a significant mark in the field of legal theory. Many of his students and followers (who themselves now teach and do research) have founded schools on the basis of his work. These places have taken the ideas of Alekseev, and further interpreted and developed them. For a number of years now, the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum has hosted sessions dedicated to the theories of Sergey Alekseev as part of the Alekseev Legacy project. This year’s event promises to be truly unique. Representatives of three academic centres closely linked to Alekseev’s life and work will present their views on the theory of law, with a focus on three key concepts: the source of law, the legal regulation mechanism, and legal responsibility. As well as answering questions from the audience, they will hold a discussion that will seek to identify points of agreement and differing views in their creative interpretations of the great man’s ideas.