The evolution of the legal regulation of the activities of special collegiums (1934-1938)

The article is devoted to the little-studied topic of legal regulation of the activities of special boards. The article is based on the use of both published and archival sources. The methodology is based on the approach proposed by P. Solomon. The author comes to the conclusion about the gradual expansion of the competence of special collegia. In his opinion, it was characterised by a departmental nature. This led to the fragmentation of the legal field and contributed to the violation of the norms of substantive and procedural law. The bulk of cases considered by the special collegiums were cases of anti-Soviet agitation. The law enforcement practice in these cases was characterised by an expansive interpretation of the relevant legal norms. This made it possible to regulate the number of these offences.