Jury reform discussion proposes expanding pool of alternate jurors

St Petersburg judge Natalia Gromova proposed at least four, and potentially six, alternate jurors. She raised the idea at a Supreme Court advisory meeting on October 13.

An RBC correspondent reported that a larger reserve would make it easier to replace jurors during a trial. Current panel formation rules provide for at least two alternates, as separately explained on the official Moscow courts portal.

Participants also proposed higher juror compensation and additional leave days as a possible incentive. The exact increase would still need to be specified when legislation is drafted.

These ideas supplement the previously presented concept of a mixed panel comprising a professional judge and four jurors. Each would have one vote, with the judge voting last. That arrangement remains a proposal rather than an operative rule.

Supreme Court deputy chair Nikolai Timoshin said the package aimed to shorten proceedings and reduce the number of overturned judgments. One proposal would limit reliance on jury selection irregularities if a party had not raised them before the verdict.

The meeting also discussed protecting jurors from pressure. Anatoly Kovler suggested an experiment bringing jurors from other regions and providing additional guarantees during trials. Participants' support for particular ideas does not constitute enactment of legislation.

The discussion follows Vladimir Putin's March 2026 instruction for the government and Supreme Court, together with the Prosecutor General's Office, to consider proposals encouraging jury service by July 1.