Legislative transformation of the courts of appeal and cassation in Russian criminal procedure

The article provides a brief analysis of the judicial reform that has led to the creation of courts of appeal and cassation, and examines certain problems of its functioning. The author thinks that, on the one hand, the reform has a very positive significance for the Russian judicial system, cause it has reduced the influence of regional elites and it has contributed to the objectivity of the decisions handed down. On the other hand, the reform has some defects, that are analysed in the article. It was concluded that the system of appeal and cassation courts is an urgent necessity for the Russian judicial system.