The Governing Senate (Правительствующий сенат) was a legislative, judicial, and executive body of Russian Monarchs, instated by Peter the Great to replace the Boyar Duma and lasted until the very end of the Empire. It was chaired by Ober-Procurator.

The State Council created by the Government reform of Alexander I was supposed to inherit the executive power of the Senate, and an envsioned parliament was to inherit legislative power; however, the reform was never finished.