As Russia continues its headlong dive towards capitalism, the country's legal system is also being modernised. Indeed, judges in the UK will be interested to learn that their Russian counterparts already appear to be streets ahead in the stress-busting department.

On a recent tour of Moscow, Obiter learnt from officials at the Supreme Court Judicial Department that Russian judges are very pampered indeed. New courthouses include judges' relaxation rooms, complete with luxurious chairs that provide electronic massage. Soothing music and the recorded sound of gentle waterfalls alternate in the background. And to cap it all, a judicial psychologist is on hand at many new courthouses, just in case the burden of dispensing justice becomes all too much. On the other hand, judges also have access to a large arsenal of government-approved handguns (which they are authorised to carry in court) - presumably for those cases where chatting things over with the shrink doesn't help and more direct action is required.