International conference dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Judicial-Legal Council was held in Baku

On June 18, 2025, an international conference on the topic of “Global Challenges in the Field of Judicial Management” dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Judicial-Legal Council began its work in Baku.

At the event, a short documentary film on the activities of the Judicial-Legal Council was first shown.

Opening the conference with an introductory speech, Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Judicial-Legal Council Inam Karimov, looking back on the 20-year activity of the Council, noted that the establishment of the institution has made a significant contribution to the quality administration of justice.

It was noted that the reforms implemented under the leadership of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev towards the formation and development of an independent judicial system are being successfully continued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev. Within the framework of the new reforms, the independence of the judiciary has been strengthened, and the status and composition of the Judicial-Legal Council have been brought into line with international standards. Also, important innovations were implemented in the field of selection, appointment and promotion of judges based on the principles of transparency and flexibility. It was emphasized that the continuity of judicial reforms, increasing the professionalism of judges and expanding digital transformation are the main priorities of future activities.

Then, Fuad Alasgarov, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Head of the Department for Work with Law Enforcement Agencies of the Presidential Administration, made a speech and said that with the formation of the Judicial and Legal Council in 2005, the development of the judiciary in our country and the establishment of its management on institutional foundations have entered a new stage. Within the framework of the extensive legal reforms initiated by the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and continued by President Ilham Aliyev, the activities of the Judicial and Legal Council have been further strengthened, and effective regulatory mechanisms have been introduced in the judicial system.

Gunduz Karimov, Head of the Legislative and Legal Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, noted in his speech that the Judicial and Legal Council has passed a successful and honorable path over the past 20 years. As a result of the intensive work of the Council and its employees, a modern, educated and honest judicial corps has been formed in Azerbaijan. It was noted that increasing transparency in the activities of the courts is closely related to the principles of legality, objectivity and impartiality. Increasing the effectiveness of judicial proceedings is assessed by the formation of a unified judicial practice, efficient and effective conduct of judicial procedures, and clarity and reasonableness of decisions. Today, the task of forming a judicial corps that meets the listed requirements falls solely on the shoulders of the Judicial and Legal Council.

Deputy Speaker of the Milli Majlis Ziyafat Asgarov said that a lot of work has been done in the judicial system in Azerbaijan. It was noted that decisions in courts are made with full seriousness of the law. At the same time, creating normal conditions for the implementation of judicial activity at a high level in Azerbaijan is also a very important issue. It was noted that efficiency in the judicial field will continue to increase.

Judge of the Constitutional Court, former Chairman of the Judicial and Legal Council Fikrat Mammadov said in his speech that the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev, declaring the establishment of a democratic, legal, secular state in the country, attached special importance to the independence of the judiciary and the efficiency of justice in this regard. It was noted that one of the first tasks given by his worthy political successor, the esteemed Mr. Ilham Aliyev, who successfully continued and developed the statehood course of the great leader, after being elected President of the Republic, was precisely the modernization of the judicial system. In this regard, a relevant concept was developed and reputable foreign experts were involved in order to make the judicial system perfect, taking into account progressive international experience. Thus, in a short time, the Judicial and Legal Council, a completely independent institution as a self-governing body of the judiciary, was established, and fundamental changes were made to the legislation regulating judicial activity.

In her speech, the Chairman of the Supreme Court of Georgia Nino Kadagidze, on behalf of the Georgian judicial system, expressed her congratulations and noted that the establishment of the Judicial and Legal Council was an important stage in the history of legal reforms in Azerbaijan. It was emphasized that judicial councils, as independent institutions, play a key role in the governance of the judicial system. Their task is not only to oversee appointments, promotions, and disciplinary matters, but also to protect the courts from external influences.

At the conference, former Chairman of the Judicial and Legal Council, Judge of the Constitutional Court Fikrat Mammadov was awarded the jubilee medal of the Republic of Azerbaijan “20th Anniversary of the Judicial and Legal Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2005–2025)” for his contribution to the activities of the Judicial and Legal Council, as well as to reforms in the judicial field.

Then, panel discussions were organized on “Global Challenges and Modern International Solutions in Court Management”, “Recruitment of the Judicial Corps” and other topics.