The Constitutional Court considers and decides cases in plenary sessions and in sessions of chambers. The Court consists of two chambers comprising nine and ten justices respectively. The decisions of plenary sessions and sessions of chambers have equal legal force. The decisions are final and may not be appealed. The provisions declared to be unconstitutional deemed to be de facto null and void, since the Constitutional Court s decisions require no further confirmation by any other bodies.
Justices deliberate in private and make decisions by a majority vote.
The dissenting opinion is appended to the case files and promulgated along with the decisions of the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court has evolved to be the true protective body of citizens rights within the Rusian Federation court system. More than ten thousand petitions are filed with the Constitutional Court annually. In its work, the Constitutional Court relies on the provisions of international human rights law. This provides an opportunity to implement the democratic rules and standards recognized by the European and world community while resolving cases on the basis of the Constitution.