On the role of advocate self-management in the formation of Russian constitutionalism (1864-1917)

Purpose: To analyze the activities of the Russian advocates in the period from 1864 to 1917 in order to show the role of the institute of advocate self-management. Methodology: Historical and legalistic approaches were used. Results: The study of professional, socio-political and parliamentary activities of advocates during the period from 1864 to 1917 was conducted. Several aspects were examined in more detail, in particular, the work of advocates in political processes and their speeches in defense of revolutionaries. It is shown that advocates defended the rights of the individual and criticized the injustice of the existing state system. The growth of political activity of the advocacy - its participation in the activities of various political parties, in work of the State Duma, the Provisional Government - is analyzed as well. Due to the relative independence of the advocacy from the state power, its electivity and self-governance, Russian advocacy has made a significant contribution to the development of the elements of practical constitutionalism - independence of the judiciary, functioning of the jury, protection of individual rights - as well as in the formation of the ideas of theoretical constitutionalism in the period of the birth of the constitutional state in Russia...