Economic justice in the Russian empire in the post-reform period: controversial issues in the periodicals

The paper examines the controversy over the merchant (commercial) courts, which unfolded in the Russian periodicals after the judicial reform of Alexander II. The reasons for the emergence of merchant courts in the first half of the 19th century are highlighted, and their influence on the economic development of the Russian Empire is characterized. The main problems that caused the discussion about commercial courts’ future in the post-reform period are considered. In this regard, the paper presents various opinions of prominent representatives of the merchant class, lawyers, and members of commercial courts. In addition to periodicals, the author used archival materials. The results obtained in the course of the study allowed us to conclude that it is advisable to abandon the idea of liquidating merchant courts, subject to their reform and improvement of the legal framework in this area.