Red tape and malpractices in the local soviet institutions of justice (late 1920's - early 1930's)

The article investigates red tape and malpractices in the work of local institutions of justice in Central Black Earth Region in late 1920s - early 1930s. At that time the judicial bodies were aimed at ensuring soviet citizens’ legitimate rights and securing them in case of their violation. However, the analysis of previously unfamiliar archive documents found a lot of examples of bureaucracy, malpractice and power abuse in the work of these institutions. It is concluded that red tape accompanying any bureaucratic system as well as malpractices were caused and nurtured by judicial workers’ incompetence and negligence. People were directly affected by bureaucracy and malpractice in their everyday life, feeling increasingly mistrustful of the Soviet authorities.