These include the Supreme Courts of the Republics, the highest Courts of each Region, the Moscow and Saint-Petersburg City Courts, and the courts of autonomous districts. Courts of the subjects of the Russian Federation serve as courts of cassation and extraordinary appeal from their subordinate district courts. Their original jurisdiction constitutes challenges to normative laws and regulations of the regional authorities, and adoption of regulations.
2.3 There are district courts located in the country’s smaller towns and rural administrative areas including groups of villages; cities have several courts of that kind. District courts are the basis of the system of courts of general jurisdiction, with jurisdiction over the overwhelming majority of civil and criminal cases, unless otherwise provided by law. As courts of appeal, district courts decide appeals from justices of the peace.
2.4 Justices of the peace form an integral part of the system of courts of general jurisdiction, although they are considered to be regional judges. They handle minor civil disputes, petty administrative and criminal offences. Appeals against decisions of justices of the peace go to district courts, the decisions of which are final. In each district there may be several justices of the peace.
Arbitration Courts.
2.5 Ten Federal District Arbitration Courts act as courts of cassation.
2.6 The Appellate Courts consider appeals as a rehearing with new evidence.
2.7 The Arbitration Courts of the subjects of the Russian Federation consider the absolute majority of economic disputes.