Abstract
The implementation of the right to free legal assistance, guaranteed by Article 48(1) of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, is of particular importance where such assistance is provided free of charge to certain categories of citizens in cases prescribed by law. A key issue in regulating these relations is the establishment of an appropriate balance between ensuring the right of the persons concerned to receive free legal assistance and preventing its unjustified provision. Particular significance attaches to the institution of refusal to provide free legal assistance, which, given its specific function, serves as a regulatory mechanism within these relations. However, incomplete and fragmented federal regulation of refusals to provide free legal assistance, together with the divergent development of relevant rules at the regional level, gives rise to inconsistent interpretation and application of this institution. This, in turn, reduces the effectiveness of the system of free legal assistance and may infringe the rights of certain categories of citizens to obtain it. The author analyses the identified shortcomings of this legal institution and proposes means of addressing them.