PRO IN LAW
Bar Association

April 2026

Relatives of a college student detained on suspicion of vandalism contacted PRO IN LAW. The suspicion was based on markers found in his bag and his presence near the scene. The defence promptly analysed the circumstances and obtained recordings from city surveillance cameras, public transport and the metro. A difference of just minutes proved decisive. After four months of investigation, the prosecution was discontinued in full. Advocate Mikhail Timoshatov acted for the client.

December 2024

The widow of a motorcyclist sought the association’s help after a fatal collision. The taxi driver alleged that he could not have seen the motorcycle approaching at speed. An automotive technical examination found that his prohibited U-turn caused the collision, while the motorcyclist’s minor excess speed could not have changed the outcome. The court imposed the maximum available sentence and awarded the widow RUB 2 million for non-pecuniary harm.

December 2024

A police officer accused of attempting to receive a large bribe approached PRO IN LAW. He faced between seven and twelve years in prison. The defence maintained that the intermediary had falsely implicated the officer to reduce his own sentence. The advocate sought a confrontation, witness interviews and documents confirming that no agreement to transfer money existed. A report of possible provocation of a bribe had also previously been sent to police management. Four months after the arrest, the criminal proceedings were discontinued on exonerating grounds because the constituent elements of an offence were absent.

December 2024

A young man accused of four counts of drug trafficking faced a potential sentence of up to twenty years. The defence presented evidence supporting rehabilitation without a lengthy period of imprisonment, including personal references, mitigating circumstances, active cooperation with investigators and the absence of prior convictions. The court accepted the defence’s arguments and imposed three years and three months’ imprisonment.

May 2024

A woman seeking support for two children approached the association after filing her claim. Following a legal assessment, Samira Skorykh explained the appropriate course of action and joined the proceedings as her representative. The claim was amended to seek a substantially higher amount. The court accepted the claimant’s evidence and awarded twice the amount sought in the original claim. Advocate Samira Skorykh.

January 2024

A St Petersburg college student was detained on allegations of large-scale drug trafficking after taking a questionable part-time job without fully understanding the consequences. At the defence’s initiative, a forensic psychiatric examination was conducted and evidence was collected of his limited involvement in the scheme. The court accepted Mikhail Timoshatov’s position and imposed a six-year suspended prison sentence, without sending the client to a penal colony. Advocate Mikhail Timoshatov.

October 2023

The mother of a student approached PRO IN LAW after he was detained in a case concerning the unauthorised use of an acquaintance’s bank card for online purchases. The cardholder had reported the transactions without knowing who made them. After he was identified, the student was remanded in custody during the investigation. Mikhail Timoshatov secured the student’s release in the courtroom. As reported on the Russian case page, the court did not impose an immediate custodial sentence, and the client was not treated as having a criminal record. Advocate Mikhail Timoshatov.

October 2023

First Vice-President Vasily Chugudaev defended the accused in the case concerning the major fire at Nevskaya Manufaktura. From the outset, the defence challenged both the client’s guilt and the legal classification of the events. Its closing submissions led the court to resume the hearing after retiring to deliberate, and the prosecutor amended the charge. The court discontinued the criminal case. Advocate Vasily Chugudaev.