On Approaches to the Implementation of Democratic Procedures in the Legal Profession of Russia and Kazakhstan

The article examines approaches to implementing democratic procedures in the bar associations of Russia and Kazakhstan in the context of UN international standards and other norms emphasizing the need for independence and self-governance of professional lawyers’ associations. The author compares the situation in Kazakhstan, where the Republican Bar Association holds open elections, debates, and pre-election campaigns, with Russia, where the Federal Chamber of Advocates (FCA) is formed through indirect elections and rotation, leading to «capture» of power by a narrow circle of individuals and the absence of real participation by lawyers in governance. The negative consequences of such a system are highlighted: persecution of lawyers, weakening of professional independence, attempts to introduce an «lawyer`s monopoly», and violations of citizens’ rights to defense. It is proposed to dismantle the existing structure of the Russian bar to restore democratic principles and align with international standards.