Significant progress has been made in creating a modern legal framework for shareholder
protection. In 1995, Russia adopted the Federal Law “On Joint-Stock Companies” (hereafter the JSC Law) that set out the principles for the protection of shareholders’ rights. This law is a significant improvement from the confusing legal framework that existed at the time of mass privatisation during the early 1990s. The duty to provide information to shareholders was considerably expanded through the Federal Law “On the Securities Market” adopted in 1996 (the Securities Law). In 1999, the Law “On the Protection of Rights and Legal Interests of Investors on the Securities Market” (the Investor Protection Law) increased the powers of the FCSM by providing a mechanism to fine companies for violation of disclosure rules. Finally, amendments to the JSC Law adopted in 2001 provide enhanced protection of shareholder rights, attempting to close various loopholes for abuse in potential major and interested party transactions.
However, during the long delay between its first reading in April 1999 and its final enactment in August 2001, changes were made in some instances that weakened the provisions of the initial draft.