Outcomes of the first day of the IV BRICS Legal Forum

The IV BRICS Legal Forum opened on 30 November 2017.

During the panel sessions, the participants discussed in details the improvement of the attractiveness of the jurisdictions of the BRICS countries, BRICS dispute resolution, ensuring stability of constitutional systems of the BRICS countries and other legal issues.

Sergey Stepashin, Chairman of the Association of Lawyers of Russia, focused his speech on the fight against terrorism, countering corruption and cybersecurity.

“I think that today’s exchange of opinions is important not only to clarify our Declaration but also to develop concrete measures, which we can formulate for our parliaments,” – Mr. Stepashin said.

In his presentation, Vladimir Gruzdev, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Lawyers of Russia initiated the establishment of the BRICS International Arbitration Court.

“We say that it is very important for us to establish a common platform. To create common solutions of issues existing between the BRICS countries. It is essential that the decisions we will make should be realised in practice. Perhaps the time has come when we can speak about establishing the arbitration court within BRICS. It is the legal community who should take the initiative before the heads of our States as that is necessary for further appearance of the international arbitration of our countries,” – Vladimir Gruzdev said.

Konstantin Korsik, President of the Federal Notary Chamber of the Russian Federation, member of the Presidium of the Association of Lawyers of Russia told about the development of the notarial system in the sphere of international cooperation.

“Inside the notary we created our own blockchain – we have an electronic notarial system where millions of data that cannot be changed are stored, – he said. – I would like to note that BRICS brings together five important economies including one of the largest in the world – the Chinese economy”.

At the end of the panel sessions, the Association of Lawyers of Russia and the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia signed the cooperation agreement. The document provides for the exchange of experience and creation of the conditions necessary for interaction between the Organisations.

Later at the media scrum, the heads of delegations of the BRICS member states spoke about the discussing topics concerning national and international security, prevention of regional conflicts, development of the digital economy and fight against cybercrime.