Krasnodar's New Court Chief Faces Heavy Caseloads and Judicial Reforms
For Alexey Shipilov, this press conference marked his first public engagement with journalists since his reappointment. Recall that in March 2026, he was named to a new six-year term. Among the priorities for the upcoming period, the head of the regional court highlighted the need to establish uniform judicial practice, humanize criminal penalties, protect the rights of participants in the special military operation and socially vulnerable citizens, oversee the enforcement of court rulings, and digitize court operations.
The workload for judges in Krasnodar Territory is currently among the highest in the country. In 2025 alone, federal and magistrate courts in the region handled 1.1 million cases across various categories. Over 190,000 of these pertained to administrative offenses, with nearly half of the administrative disputes involving tax and fee collection.
High-profile corruption cases have also been a major focus. In 2025, at the request of deputy prosecutors general of Russia, district courts examined 13 civil cases to confiscate assets acquired in violation of anti-corruption laws, totaling over 76 billion rubles. Additionally, through 244 lawsuits filed by regional prosecutors, 711.9 hectares of land—worth approximately 2.5 billion rubles—were returned to public ownership. Since the start of 2026, more than 10 such cases have already been reviewed, with all rulings subject to immediate enforcement.
"Demolish This Immediately"
Over recent years, Krasnodar Territory's judicial system has undergone significant reforms aimed at restoring order and standardizing court procedures. As Alexey Shipilov noted, the primary objective was to overhaul long-standing judicial practices that had effectively legalized unauthorized construction and the redistribution of land—including state-owned plots—through court decisions.
"This was widespread, and unfortunately, it suited everyone. Our key task was to break this pattern," emphasized the head of the regional court.
A decisive stance by the Krasnodar Regional Court, backed by the Prosecutor General's Office, played a pivotal role in this process. Through joint efforts, hundreds of court rulings were revisited, particularly those concerning properties in Sochi.
"By overturning previous decisions, we succeeded in returning land to state ownership. Today, we are systematically and effectively addressing the issue of legalizing land seizures and unauthorized construction through court rulings. It is unacceptable for commercial interests to be resolved by judicial fiat," Shipilov stressed.
"Punishment Is Inevitable"
High-Profile Corruption Scandals and Judicial Accountability
Among the pressing issues discussed at the press conference were high-profile corruption scandals, including those within the regional judiciary. Alexey Shipilov, chair of the Krasnodar Regional Court, cited stark figures: over the past five years, 49 judges have faced disciplinary action, nine have been removed from office early, and six have become defendants in criminal cases.
"Virtually all of these cases were initiated based on our own investigations," Shipilov emphasized. "This situation sends a clear message—not just to judges, but to all officials—that punishment and consequences are inevitable. Everyone must understand that they will be held accountable for their actions and for violating the law."
Protecting the Rights of Military Personnel and Their Families
A separate focus of the court's work is safeguarding the rights of participants in the special military operation and their families. According to Shipilov, courts prioritize the most careful consideration of such cases. Local authorities and social protection agencies often violate the law when processing applications. Since the start of 2026 alone, the regional court has issued seven special rulings to municipal leaders and two to heads of social protection departments. These documents are forwarded to the prosecutor's office for review and to hold specific officials disciplinarily liable.
Digital Justice: Advancing Court Digitization
When asked about the digitization of the judicial system, Shipilov noted that Krasnodar Region is actively embracing this transformation across all key areas.
In 2025, courts in the region conducted over 4,500 hearings via video and web conferencing, enabling remote participation for all parties involved.
The online filing of lawsuits and other petitions through the Gosuslugi (State Services) portal is now fully operational. Since last year, this option has also been extended to claimants in cases before justices of the peace. As of July 1, 2025, Russia's Code of Administrative Offenses formally enshrines online document submission and allows for remote participation in proceedings for administrative violations.
To streamline document workflows and reduce the burden on courts, electronic delivery of notifications through users' Gosuslugi personal accounts has been implemented. Additionally, regional courts actively use an integrated IT system for interagency data exchange, enabling swift access to records from Rosreestr (the Federal Property Registry), the Federal Tax Service, and the Federal Bailiff Service—all critical for case reviews.
