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From 1711 to 1917, the Governing Senate[a] was the highest legislative, judicial, and executive body subordinate to the Russian emperors. The senate was instituted by Peter the Great to replace the Boyar Duma and lasted until the very end of the Russian Empire. It was chaired by the Procurator General, who served as the link between the sovereign and the Senate; he acted, in the emperor's own words, as "the sovereign's eye".
Description
The Governing Senate in 1912.
The senate was created in February 1711 and initially established only for the time of Peter's absence on military campaign.[1] However, on his return it was not dissolved but gradually became the chief legislative and executive organ of Imperial Russia.[1]
The number of senators was first set at nine and, in 1712, increased to ten. Any disagreements between the Chief Procurator and the Senate were to be settled by the Tsar. Initially the Senate was headed by a supervisor post, the Inspector General of Decrees (Procurator General).[2] In 1720, new rules of Senate procedure were issued detailing time for discussion and behaviour expected, including restricting senators from shouting.[2] Eventually order within the senate was implemented following appointment of Prince Yakov Fyodorovich Dolgorukov as a senator in 1712.[2]
Certain other officials and a chancellery were also attached to the Senate. While it underwent many subsequent changes, it became one of the most important institutions of imperial Russia, especially for administration and law.
The State Council, created by Alexander I, was supposed to inherit the executive power of the Senate. An envisioned parliament was to inherit legislative power, but that never happened.
In the 19th century, the Senate evolved into the highest judicial body in Russia. As such, it exercised control over all legal institutions and officials throughout the country.
The Senate was composed of several departments, two of which were Courts of Cassation (one for criminal cases, one for civil cases). It also included a Department of Heraldry, which managed matters relating to the rights of the nobles and honorary citizens.
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