The paper analyzes the legal aspects of the outcomes of World War II in the Far East. The study provides for and systematizes legal acts on this issue, including international legal instruments adopted by the States of the anti-Hitler coalition in the context of combating Japanese aggression, further legal consolidation of victory over Japan, and post-war settlement. The causes and conditions of disagreements among the powers are examined, including differences in the interpretation of treaty provisions on post-war territorial arrangements. The study addresses the legality and expediency of concluding a comprehensive peace treaty between Russia and Japan in accordance with the Soviet — Japanese Joint Declaration of 1956. The authors conclude that signing a peace treaty based on territorial concessions contradicts fundamental principles of international law and creates dangerous precedents for the world order. The prospects for elevating the current geopolitical and legal situation in the Far East to a new constructive level of international legal relations are discussed. The paper concludes that a new strategic reality is emerging in the Asia-Pacific region, rendering bipolar and unipolar models of interstate legal relations obsolete. It emphasizes the importance of strategic partnership between Russia and China, and the development of a stable dialogue with ASEAN countries within the Russia — U.S. track. The new politico-legal reality must be based on Japan’s full recognition of the outcomes of World War II and its responsibility for initiating the conflict in the Far East.

The study of the legal category of «family secrecy» is driven by a paradoxical situation in Russian law. On the one hand, the country’s Constitution guarantees everyone the inviolability of family secrecy; on the other hand, there is no statutory definition of «family secrecy», the boundaries separating it from other types of secrecy are not delineated, and neither its scope nor its subjects are defined. An analysis of a vast but fragmented body of materials on this topic has made it possible to identify a number of specific characteristics that determine the essence and nature of family secrecy as a distinct type of secrecy. The study explores the relationship between the concept of «family secrecy» and related notions such as «personal secrecy» and «privacy». Special attention is paid to the legal aspect of the concept of «family». Various formulations of this concept are considered through the prism of their theoretical validity and practical applicability. The results of the research substantiate the necessity of developing a more inclusive and dynamic understanding of the family that can reflect contemporary social realities and account for the diversity of life strategies. The analysis of proposed definitions, legislative acts, and academic literature has made it possible to construct an interdisciplinary definition of «family», and to consider family secrecy both as a distinct type of secrecy and as an interdisciplinary legal institution.

The paper analyzes the system of division of powers between the Russian Federation and its constituent entities in the field of legal regulation of municipal service. The authors examine the «prerogative», i.e., exclusive, powers of the regional legislator in this area and conclude that their implementation ensures neither the unity of public authority nor the autonomy of local self-government. Moreover, the use of the current regulatory model in this sphere largely affects the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens, the restriction of which is permissible only at the federal level. All these factors lead to the conclusion that there is a need for large-scale federalization of the legal regulation of municipal service and for the search for uniform models of normative regulation of municipal service relations. In particular, the article substantiates the conclusion that class ranks constitute an integral element of the legal status of a municipal employee, and their inclusion in Chapter 2 of Federal Law No. 25‑FZ of 02.03.2007 «On Municipal Service in the Russian Federation» is erroneous. From the standpoint of ensuring the principle of unity of the legal status of municipal employees and its correlation with the status of civil servants, this institution should be regulated at the federal level. Thus, granting leave, as a mechanism for exercising the constitutional right to rest, cannot be attributed to the prerogative powers of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation and should be centrally regulated by federal law. On the other hand, resolving a number of essentially technical issues (such as the procedure for providing certain information, obtaining permits, the procedure for actions when clarification is needed, etc.) should reasonably be transferred from the level of constituent entities of the Russian Federation to the level of municipal authorities.

The paper examines issues related to improving the legal framework that ensures the security of social relations in the sphere of religion. Interest in this topic stems from the fact that religion, as a complex phenomenon, can be both a benefit and a zone of risk. Under certain conditions, religious motivation can become a source of threats to the security of the individual, society, and the state. The author provides a definition of religious security and analyzes the system of legal sources regulating its provision. It is shown that despite a considerable number of legal norms that in one way or another affect various aspects of religious security, the current legislation contains no legal definition of it and does not assign it a specific place within the structure of national security. Religious security is likewise not designated at the constitutional level, which creates difficulties for empowering the constituent entities of the Russian Federation with lawmaking authority in this area, although regional practice of adopting relevant laws is beginning to emerge. The paper considers options for removing the legal uncertainty regarding religious security, such as adopting a special law on religious security, adjusting the system of strategic planning acts, and making amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

The paper analyzes the legal regulation of the main options for forming and using state financial reserves in the Russian Federation and in BRICS and CIS member states against the backdrop of expanding economic and financial ties with countries in these groupings. The Russian Federation applies international experience in creating state financial reserves, using the principal models of fund creation; in domestic practice, all examined funds are budgetary and have legally defined sources of formation and directions for use. The analysis shows that reservetype funds formed in BRICS and CIS countries differ in their sources of funding, purposes for using the funds, and methods of management. A state may legally provide for the formation and use not only reserve funds but also other funds (most often stabilization funds) that are primarily formed in response to market conditions; in such cases, these funds function as reserves of a public-law entity. Reserve funds in the narrow sense are formed to address extraordinary, non-budgeted tasks. In CIS member states such budgetary reserve funds are used more actively than in BRICS countries, and accordingly their statutory regulation tends to be more detailed and elaborated.

The paper examines the legal principles of providing financing for medical activities in the Russian Federation. The author analyzes the influence of the general principles of financial and medical law on financing medical activities and identifies specific principles in this area, in particular: diversification of sources of financial support for medical activities; differentiation of funding directions and legal regimes for financing medical activities; the principle of allowing private medical organizations access to state funding; the principle that state financing of healthcare should not be tied to financial results; the principle of per‑capita (capitation) financing; the principle of accountability/control of funds allocated for financing medical activities; the principle of financing medical activities on the basis of the mandatory medical insurance system; as well as the principles of financial incentives for medical activities and financial protection of patients.

The paper examines several contentious issues of law enforcement related to interpretation of the rules regarding the legal regime of a land lot. Since the legal regime is determined by the lot’s category and permitted use, the author focuses on norms concerning the designated purpose of land. Monitoring of practice shows that administrative bodies differently assess use of a plot that corresponds to the type of permitted use established in the urban-planning regulations but contradicts the entry in the Unified State Register of Real Estate (EGRN), and likewise assess simultaneous use under several main permitted-use types — often treating such actions as violations. Having analyzed land and urban-planning legislation, rulings of higher courts, and the aims of the legal institute of land designation, the author advocates a multifunctional approach to the legal regime of a land plot. The study concludes that using a plot under several permitted-use types established for a given territorial zone, including entering such information in the EGRN, does not contradict legislation and aligns with the functional purpose of the norms regulating land legal regimes. The paper substantiates a proposal to abolish the obligation established in the Land Code of the Russian Federation for the owner to inform the EGRN authorities about the type(s) of permitted use of a land plot as an artificially created requirement.

The relevance of the study can be justified by conclusion in 2024 of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation that for more than 28 years the courts of general jurisdiction and the Supreme Court misinterpreted Article 48 of the 1969 RSFSR Code on Marriage and Family (applied now pursuant to Article 169 of the Family Code) and wrongly treated the list of circumstances necessary for establishing paternity for persons born between 1 October 1968 and 1 March 1996 as exhausted. According to the Constitutional Court, Article 48 of the 1969 Code admits as sufficient proof the results of a judicial moleculargenetic expert examination confirming kinship between the citizen and the alleged father. As an argument, the Constitutional Court noted that the earlier legal regime (in force before the introduction of the Family Code), when applied with account of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the USSR’s explanations, allowed appointment of forensicmedical examinations to clarify questions related to a child’s origin.

The author adheres to the traditional interpretation of Article 48 of the 1969 Code and adduces arguments indicating the exhausted character of the list of circumstances (and, accordingly, of the admissible evidence) necessary to establish paternity. At the same time, the Constitutional Court’s position — that construing Article 48 in a way that restricts the scope of proof in paternity cases and differentiates the set of evidence admissible solely based on a person’s date of birth is inconsistent with the principle of equality before the court — deserves attention. The author concludes that to eliminate an unjustified differentiation of the right to establish paternity depending on date of birth (i.e., the discrimination against persons born from 1 October 1968 to 1 March 1996) it is necessary to give Article 49 of the Family Code retroactive effect by making an explicit provision to that effect in Article 169 of the Family Code.

The paper is devoted to new trends in the development of labor relations in the context of the spread of artificial intelligence systems and robotization of production in Russia. The authors highlight the concept of technolabor as a key area, namely a form of work in which workers perform tasks in close collaboration with digital and autonomous technologies, including neural network platforms and robotic systems. Particular attention is given to the analysis of the legal consequences of such interaction, innovations in labor legislation and changes in the substance of the employee’s labor function. It is argued that the integration of artificial intelligence and robotic systems leads to a blurring of the characteristic of personal performance of a work function and to a transformation of employee responsibilities, including the need to formulate a task, monitor and adjust the result, as well as possess specific digital competencies. The authors highlight the risks of legal liability for workers when using neural networks due to the unpredictability of results and possible errors («hallucinations» of neural networks). The social effects of the introduction of technolabor are considered, including possible reductions in wages and working hours, as well as the problems of fair distribution of the benefits of robotics between employers and employees. This paper analyzes the procedural and legal aspects of changes to employment contracts initiated by employers during technological modernization under Article 74 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation. It emphasizes the need for further refinement of the regulatory framework and legal mechanisms for employee protection.

Considering the trends toward resuming cooperation with foreign companies in the field of mineral extraction, the issues of legal regulation regarding access for foreign entities to Russian subsoil resources require close attention. The present study, based on an analysis of legislation and law enforcement practice, identifies gaps in legal regulation. These gaps lead to inconsistent law enforcement concerning the granting of licenses for subsoil use to organizations with foreign investor participation, the entry of foreign investors into the charter capitals of Russian companies holding such licenses for work on subsoil plots of local, regional, or federal significance, as well as temporary counter-sanction economic measures in the subsoil use sector. Proposals have been formulated aimed at resolving the considered problems by improving regulatory legal acts. These proposals are intended, on the one hand, to contribute to establishing an adequate level of legal certainty for investors and improving the investment climate. On the other hand, they are designed to safeguard the interests of national economic security, preventing unscrupulous foreign investors from circumventing control procedures and regulatory approvals when acquiring assets of Russian subsoil user companies.

The paper analyzes the development trends of criminal procedural legislation of the Russian Federation in relation to minors, taking into account historical, modern and international aspects. The study reveals the evolution from the punitive approaches of the pre-revolutionary period to the humanized norms of Chapter 50 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation, which are oriented toward rehabilitation. Empirical analysis reveals problems of formalism in the involvement of teachers and psychologists, excessive use of detention and insufficient implementation of educational measures. Comparison with foreign models (Germany, France, USA, Canada, Japan, and China) demonstrates the advantages of specialized courts and probation, which reduce recidivism by 15–30 %. The scientific novelty lies in establishing a correlation between procedural formalism and recidivism (an increase of 10–20 %) and in developing reform proposals: establishing juvenile courts, developing probation, certifying specialists, limiting pretrial detention, and implementing digitalization. Suggested areas for further research include studying the effectiveness of digital systems, the long-term impact of probation, and judicial training. The reforms could reduce incarceration rates to 8% and recidivism to 12 % by harmonizing legislation with international standards.

The paper examines law as an ideal object and an element of social consciousness, introduces the fiction of a reasonable and just legislator, and explores the socio-historical significance of criminal law. Russian legal theory and practice have not developed a generally accepted understanding of causation, which creates a risk of arbitrary and unjust application of the law. This problem can and should be solved within the framework of criminal policy. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure uniform application of the law at least in typical situations. Philosophical, scientific, and everyday understanding of causation should form the basis for understanding causation in law.

However, philosophical and natural scientific concepts of causation are insufficient for establishing causation in legal qualification. The theory of equivalence of conditions allows for the identification of minimal but insufficient signs of causation. The understanding of causation in law must correspond to reasonable criminal policy, taking into account the principle of economy of repression.

The protection of the environment in general and land in particular is an important environmental task of the state. According to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, everyone has the right to a favorable environment. The most dangerous types of violations of land legislation entail criminal and administrative liability. The norms providing for these two types of liability are often related, and the differences between them may be minimal. However, for the correct delineation of these norms, it is necessary to consider all their features. Another problem in applying the norms of criminal and administrative legislation is that some norms establish prejudgment for the norms of criminal legislation, while some norms of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation simultaneously compete with several norms of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The paper examines complex issues of applying related norms establishing criminal and administrative liability for violations of land legislation, provides criteria for their delineation and the establishment of administrative prejudgment, and puts forward proposals for improving the norms.

The paper is devoted to the development of specific issues related to quantum technologies in the context of the digital transformation of forensic science. Quantum technologies are among the cross-cutting technologies. The intensification of norm-setting in the field of quantum technologies, including the adoption of a roadmap for the development of these technologies, provides grounds to expect an acceleration in the development of quantum technologies in the very near future. These circumstances require forensic experts to be prepared to work with quantum technologies. The paper examines specific areas of application of quantum computing in forensics in the form of quantum computers. It is noted that currently, quantum computing technologies and their capabilities still provide acceleration only in a relatively narrow range of tasks that do not have direct forensic significance; however, forensic science must look beyond the present day and engage in prospective, forward-looking development. Within the areas of application of quantum cryptography in law enforcement, the use for protecting electronic document management, controlling unmanned vehicles, as well as ensuring uninterceptable communication is considered. Significant attention in the paper is given to quantum sensing and its application in investigations. The impact of the implementation of quantum technologies on the subject matter of forensic science is assessed.

The paper investigates the legal mechanisms for engaging the banking sector in the implementation of state financial policy, using the examples of the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation. It analyzes the directive model established in China, characterized by the dominance of state-owned banks and a banking sector serving as a powerful tool for achieving strategic development goals, and the legal model of the Russian banking system, where banks actively use public legal powers to achieve commercial objectives. Special attention is given to the study of the administrative reform of financial supervision carried out in China in 2023, which led to the creation of a new regulator and a transition to a «dual-peak» system. Furthermore, the author focuses on analyzing the initiative of the Association of Banks of Russia to introduce a three-tier banking structure. It is demonstrated that Chinese experience allows for more effective mobilization of resources towards priority development areas. Conclusions are drawn regarding the possibility of using certain elements of the Chinese model to strengthen the state’s financial sovereignty and de-dollarization of settlements.

The paper is devoted to a comparative analysis of the institution of voluntary abandonment of crime within the framework of religious legal systems: Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu law. The author investigates doctrinal foundations, contemporary legislation, and judicial practice, revealing a synthesis of legal norms and religious ethical principles. In Jewish law, voluntary abandonment is closely linked to the concept of repentance, requiring the cessation of the crime, remorse, and redress of harm. Legal sources emphasize that abandonment mitigates punishment but does not always nullify it, especially in cases of serious crimes. Contemporary rabbinical courts apply these principles in property and moral disputes, considering active compensation for damages. In Muslim law, the approach varies depending on the category of the crime and the legal school. Hindu law views voluntary abandonment through the prism of dharma and karma, emphasizing moral aspects. A comparative analysis reveals contradictions between humanization and repressiveness. Religious legal systems demonstrate dualism: the pursuit of ethical ideal clashes with archaic norms, creating legal uncertainty. The study emphasizes the need for a balance between tradition and modernization, proposing ways to harmonize religious doctrines with modern legal standards. The research found that voluntary abandonment of crime in religious legal systems is not an archaic relic but a dynamic institution combining tradition with pragmatism. However, its potential is limited by the conflict between sacred dogmas and human rights. The author’s practical recommendations are aimed at overcoming this contradiction, proposing avenues for dialogue between religious and secular legal systems.