On July 24, 2018, Veniamin F. Yakovlev, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation, Correspondent Member of the Russian Academy of Science, Doctor of Law, Professor, passed away.

Veniamin F. Yakovlev was born on February 12, 1932, in the town of Petukhovo, Kurgan Region. He graduated from the Sverdlovsk Law Institute in 1953. In 1953–1956, he worked as a professor and director of a law school in Yakutsk. In 1956, he was appointed senior assistant prosecutor general of the Yakut Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1960–1987, Veniamin Fyodorovich worked for the Sverdlovsk Law Institute in the capacities of senior lecturer, associate professor, faculty dean, department head, and vice-rector for academic affairs. In 1987, he became the director of the All- Union Scientific Research Institute for Soviet Legislation (in Moscow). In 1989–1991, he was the minister of justice of the USSR. In 1990–1991, he served as the chief state ar- bitrator of the USSR and chaired the Supreme Commercial Court of the USSR. In the end of 1991, he accepted the of- fice of the state advisor for legal policy under the President of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. In April 1992, the Session of People’s Deputies of the Russian Federation elected him to chair the Supreme Commercial Court of the Russian Federation. In 1992–2005, he was the Chairman of the Supreme Commercial Court of the Russian Federation. Since February 2005 he has been holding the position of Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation. Doctor of law. Professor. Corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He is the author of numerous research works. He was awarded the A.F. Koni Medal of Merits in Russian Legal Science (1996); he is the holder of the Golden Honorary Badge “Public Recognition” (1999), holder of the Honorary Civil Order “Golden Cross For Service to Society” (2004); he was conferred the state awards, by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dd. January 31, 2005, he was awarded the “Order for Merits for the Motherland”, 1st degree, “for eminent work in development of the Russian state system and ju- diciary system improvement”. Veniamin F. Yakovlev was a Great Person, a Great Scientist, and a Real Master! For all of us, his passing away is a tragedy and a grievous loss. Veniamin F. Yakovlev will always remain in our hearts. It is a great honor for us that Veniamin Fyodorovich was member of the editorial board of the Energy Law Forum journal supporting the development of energy law in the Russian Federation. We are, and always will be, deeply grateful to Veniamin Fyodorovich for his help, support, and wise counsel. We will retain fond memories of him.

Viktoriya V. Romanova Editor-in-Chief