Judicial reforms of Alexander II were partially reversed. In 1885 a decree provided for the Minsiter of Justice to exercise great control for example in the dismissal of judges. In 1887 the Ministry was granted powers to hold closed court sessions and in 1889 it became responsible for the appointment for town judges. In 1887 the property and educational qualifications needed by jurors were raised while in 1889 the volost courts were put under direct jurisdiction of the Land Captians in the countryside and judges in towns.
