'Our Discoveries Are Based on New Approaches to Explaining Social Phenomena'

Lawyer Pavel Grigorev is interested in global legal issues, particularly whether it will be possible in the future to completely eliminate government interference in society's affairs. In this interview with the HSE Young Scientists project, he discusses the lawmaking potential of his PhD dissertation, medieval criminal law provisions stipulated in Russkaya Pravda, and his international internship in India.

How I Chose a Career in Science

My journey into science began during my master's programme. I delivered presentations at conferences, not only in Moscow but also in other cities. This experience sparked a desire in me to continue pursuing science. Not wanting to disconnect from academic life after earning my degree, I decided to enrol in a doctoral programme.

Whether I Focus on Criminal or Civil Law

Legal education is traditionally divided into the specialisations of civil law, constitutional law, and criminal law. During my bachelor's studies, I was preparing to become a lawyer specialising in civil law. However, I then joined the highly interesting Master's Programme titled 'Civil and Criminal Defence Lawyer' at HSE University, which combined two distinct specialisations.

It was the right decision, as in practice, it is difficult for a lawyer to limit themselves to just one branch of law.

The Subject of My Research

I research how criminal law safeguards economic relations from criminal threats. More specifically, based on the topic of my recently defended PhD dissertation, I am studying the criminal law protection of official information contained in public registers.

My research is not limited to the topic of my dissertation. I have published and presented at conferences on topics such as corruption crimes and comparative law, and I have also written several papers on the laws of other countries, thanks to my international internships.

How My Dissertation Is Structured

First and foremost, my work is theoretical. I discuss what a public registry is, why it is protected by criminal law, and provide a historical context. Interestingly, in the early Middle Ages, Russkaya Pravda (the oldest surviving legal code of Russia) included rules prohibiting any distortion of information about the owner of a land plot. Signs were placed at the boundaries of land plots, and anyone who removed, damaged, or distorted them faced a punishment more severe than that for murder.

I also examined the foreign experience of legal regulation by studying the examples of six countries, as well as the system of norms that exists in our country. Finally, I focused on the practical issues that arise when cases are heard in court. In the appendix to my dissertation, I included an analysis of 85 judicial acts from specific criminal cases, covering the three-year period during which I wrote my dissertation.

Potential Practical Value of My Dissertation

At least two of the nine points presented in the defence of my dissertation have lawmaking potential. They propose concrete changes to the current legislation. In particular, conflicts often arise between the provisions of the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses and the Russian Criminal Code in the area of protecting information in public registers. I propose solutions for resolving these conflicts.

As for criminal investigation and judicial proceedings, I believe my work also has practical applications in these, more pragmatic areas of jurisprudence. I studied a large number of normative and judicial acts and examined numerous doctrinal aspects, so in general, reading the text of my dissertation should contribute to a better understanding of how these norms are applied.

My Future Plans

Defending my dissertation was not easy, especially in the later stages when my work was discussed at the department and dissertation council levels. It took me nearly a year and a half to complete the entire process of discussions and formalities. Now, I want to take some time off to deal with the remaining matters, such as obtaining my degree certificate. After that, I plan to start making inquiries, communicating with senior colleagues, and discussing the relevance of topics for my next research. In the next year or two, I would like to begin writing my Doctor of Science dissertation and dedicate seven to eight years to this mission.

What I Take Pride In

The most significant achievement has been the defence of my dissertation. I was also the first doctoral student, possibly in the entire history of the Doctoral School of Law, to receive both the Russian Presidential Scholarship and Vladimir Tumanov Scholarship within the single year of 2022. These prestigious scholarships are awarded to doctoral students for exceptional academic publications and active participation in research.

My International Internships

Instead of the one international internship required by the academic doctoral curriculum, I completed two. Thus, in accordance with the programme's requirements, I interned at the School of Law at King's College London during the winter and spring of 2022. Later, in the autumn of the same year, on my own initiative, I went to India to intern at O.P. Jindal Global University. The latter is our partner, a renowned law school ranked among the top 100 in the QS World Rankings. It is situated in Sonipat, a city in the state of Haryana in northern India, approximately 50 km from Delhi.

I spent over two months there. The university is located outside the city and is organised in a campus-style layout. This is a fully enclosed area where students, including doctoral students, as well as faculty, live, study, and conduct research.

Indian Criminal Law

During my internship, I naturally immersed myself in Indian criminal law. I have published four papers on this topic, and another one is currently under review.

The Indian legal system was heavily influenced by the Anglo-Saxon legal tradition and retains traces of the colonial era. The legislation is written in English. The colonial legal code, which remained in force until July 1 of this year, is highly outdated. It was written in a form of English that a modern reader may find incomprehensible in many parts. Interestingly, this code is not the only source of criminal law in the country. There are also around 50 special laws that include provisions on offences and punishments. Moreover, individual states in India have their own criminal laws. Since unifying this diversity is politically challenging, it is easier and more practical to maintain the existing system than to implement revolutionary changes. As a result, the recent reform of criminal law has not been able to resolve the issue of multiple sources. Although the new Code has come into force, Indian criminal law remains an extremely heterogeneous system of norms.

My Dreams

My dream is for science not to become isolated or turn into a sect where people engage in activities solely for the sake of formalities, publication metrics, degrees, and titles. So that the work we perform in offices, libraries, and classrooms may find a lasting impact in the life of the state and society. My dream as a scientist is both simple and global: for scientists, especially scholars in the humanities, to be active participants in public life rather than mere observers.

Who I Would Like to Meet

Recently, I have found Alan Dershowitz interesting, both as an individual and as a lawyer. At one point, he became the youngest professor at Harvard Law School and is known, among other things, as Donald Trump's defence attorney.

What I Have Been Reading Lately

I was rereading Fathers and Sons by Turgenev and What Is to Be Done? by Chernyshevsky. Frankly speaking, I don't purchase many law books, but over the past few years, I have collected a large number of books on economics, political science, and sociology—I now have about 250 such books in my home library.

My Favourite Place in Moscow

I love the area of Vorobyovy Gory near Moscow State University. It's where my academic career began, and it can be quite enjoyable to walk there, even without any connection to the university. The monumental architecture, the observation deck, the vast open spaces—everything there is symmetrical and beautiful.

Advice for Aspiring Scientists

First and foremost, decide whether you truly want to pursue a career in science. Rather than trying to balance practice and research in the early stages, fully commit to one or the other.

I do not recommend attending doctoral school simply for the sake of obtaining another degree. Do everything you can to make your studies as intensive as possible. If you have a genuine interest in this, participate in conferences more often. Take advantage of existing international mobility opportunities as well. Things are not always as difficult as they may appear. In general, try to reduce your concerns, fears and the like by half.