Friday, 31 January 2014

Liber Amicorum Russian Judge Anatoly Kovler

At the occasion of the retirement from the European Court of the Russian judge Anatoly Kovler, a liber amicorum has been compiled in his honour by Olga Chernishova and Mikhail Lobov, entitled 'Russia and the European Courtof Human Rights: a decade of change. Essays in honour of Anatoly Kovler, Judgeof the European Court of Human Rights in 1999-2012'. The book has just been published by Wolf Legal Publishers and includes contribution in English and in French (with English sumaries). This is the abstract:
 
The last decade has seen a striking rise in Russian cases before the European Court of Human Rights. The influence of its case-law can be seen in all areas of Russian life, becoming a reality on the ground, a genuine impulse for change. Russia, the Court`s biggest `client`, has also played its part in the major development of the Convention system. Judge Anatoly Kovler has left his mark on this important period for the Convention and for Russia. Beyond his judicial achievements, which are illustrated by hundreds of judgments, he has become a key figure in the dialogue between the Court and the national authorities, thus acting as a bridge between two different environments. These theoretical and practical essays are published in his honour by his colleagues and friends. The Russian perspective is presented notably by Valery Zorkin, President of the Constitutional Court, and Tatiana Neshatayeva, former Judge at the Supreme Commercial Court. The decade of change from the Court’s viewpoint is highlighted by, among others, its President Dean Spielmann, former Section President Nina Vajic, Deputy Registrar Michael O`Boyle, and former Registrar and Jurisconsult Michele de Salvia. A personal testimonial by the former President of the Court, Jean-Paul Costa, enriches this book along with Professor Frédéric Sudre’s insight into Judge Kovler’s separate opinions.