Supreme private council in the initial period: status and public law description

After the death of Peter I in Russia, the Supreme Privy Council was established in accordance with the decree signed by Catherine I, who became Empress. This was done on the initiative of Catherine's favorites from the highest nobility, and above all Prince Menshikov. The article discusses the status features of this collegial public authority. It is noted that, despite some external signs of a democratic orientation, the creation of the Supreme Privy Council did not shake the political absolutist regime of the Russian Empire, and the main motive of its initiators was the desire to gain a foothold in the highest echelons of power.