What was “telephone law” in the Soviet judicial system?

In the Soviet judicial system, "telephone law" referred to the practice of party officials exerting direct influence over the outcome of legal cases by calling judges to dictate their decisions.1

This practice was a hallmark of a system where the judiciary lacked true independence and was instead subordinate to the Soviet Communist Party. Because judges were typically party members selected by party officials, they were expected to align their rulings with the interests of the leadership. While the system maintained the outward appearance of a formal court structure, cases of political importance were frequently resolved through these private, extrajudicial communications rather than through impartial legal proceedings.1

The existence of "telephone law" highlights the fundamental ethical failure of a legal system that prioritizes political control over the rule of law and the impartial administration of justice.