Press Center: Legal updates

Active public discussions continue regarding the draft law “On the Foundations of State Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Technology Applications in the Russian Federation”, drafted by the Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation. The document covers the development, implementation and use of artificial intelligence (hereinafter – “AI”), and establishes obligations for service owners, developers and users. Below is an overview of the key changes that will affect businesses.

On 24 March 2026, the State Duma adopted Bill No. 1136722-8 at its third reading, proposing to transfer the powers to review decisions of magistrates’ courts on cassation appeal from the cassation courts of general jurisdiction to the courts of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The initiative was put forward by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation.

On 24 March 2025, the State Duma adopted, at the third reading, Draft Law No. 1097621-8 (the “Draft Law”), which prohibits employers from imposing a probationary period on women with children under the age of three.

As of March 1, 2026, the amendments introduced by Federal Law No. 168-FZ of June 24, 2025, to the Law of the Russian Federation "On Protection of Consumer Rights" have come into force.

The past days have been marked by landmark rulings from the Russian Supreme and Constitutional Courts, decisions that will influence future case law and the pharmaceutical market as a whole.

The Federal Service for Technical and Export Control (hereinafter referred to as the "FSTEC") has prepared a draft methodological document "Activities and measures to protect information contained in Information Systems" (hereinafter referred to as the "Draft Methodological Document").

On January 20, the State Duma adopted in the first reading Draft Law No. 1082205-8 ("the Draft Law"), which exempts a number of legal entities from the obligation to submit mandatory consolidated financial statements ("CFS"). The Government of the Russian Federation acted as the subject of the right of legislative initiative.

The Draft Law amends Federal Law No. 208-FZ dated 27 July 2010 "On Consolidated Financial Statements" and Federal Law No. 39-FZ dated 22 April 1996 "On the Securities Market."

On 26 January 2026, a draft Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation was published for public discussion. This resolution approves the rules for marketplace operators to verify information posted in product listings, as well as the procedure for admitting a product listing to be placed on a marketplace ("Rules").

A bill No. 902782-8 "On Amendments to Article 104.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation" (hereinafter – the "Bill"), providing for the recognition of digital currency as property and establishing the procedure for its seizure within the framework of criminal proceedings, was submitted to the State Duma of the Russian Federation on April 24, 2025. The Government of the Russian Federation acted as the subject of the legislative initiative right.

On 2 February 2024, the Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024 (hereinafter referred to as the “OSA”) was officially published in Sri Lanka. The OSA is a significant and controversial element of information security regulation in Sri Lanka. It establishes provisions prohibiting the communication of prohibited statements online and aims to prevent the use of online accounts and inauthentic online accounts for prohibited purposes.