This volume serves as the definitive English-language reference for the foundational legal framework governing market activities and private rights within the Russian Federation. Professor William E. Butler, a recognized authority on Soviet and post-Soviet legal systems, provides a precise translation of the first three parts of the Russian Civil Code. The work functions as a primary source document, enabling international practitioners and scholars to navigate the complexities of Russian property, contract, and tort law as established in the post-2002 regulatory environment.

Legal scholars and practitioners frequently cite this translation as the standard reference for understanding the mechanics of the Russian market economy. Experts highlight the utility of the included glossary and index for those navigating the dense, technical prose of the original code.