Abstract

There are many memories by Russian jurists during the October revolution. On the other hand, there are few reports by jurists who, while supporting the democratic government established after the February revolution, closely observe the fight for justice againts the struggle for power. Michail N. Gernet (1874-1953) follows the news from the countryside about the summary justice practices ("samosud") that are wedged in the transition from the code of the old regime to the new legislative system of the republic. He grasps the problem of a revolution that could entrust democracy to the people in arms because the lynching of the political enemy is associated with the lynching of the common criminals.