On June 18, 2025, an international conference on “Global Challenges in Judicial Administration” dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Judicial-Legal Council commenced in Baku.
The event opened with the screening of a short documentary film about the activities of the Judicial-Legal Council.
In his opening address, Mr. Inam Karimov, Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan and of the Judicial-Legal Council, reviewed the 20 years of the Council’s activity and noted that its establishment had made an important contribution to the effective administration of justice.
It was emphasized that the reforms implemented under the leadership of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev towards the formation and development of an independent judiciary are being successfully continued today by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev. Within the framework of new reforms, the independence of the judiciary has been further strengthened, and the status and composition of the Judicial-Legal Council have been aligned with international standards. Significant innovations have also been introduced in the selection, appointment, and promotion of judges, based on the principles of transparency and efficiency. The continuity of judicial reforms, enhancement of judges’ professionalism, and expansion of digital transformation were highlighted as key priorities for the future.
Subsequently, Mr. Fuad Alasgarov, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Department for Work with Law Enforcement Bodies of the Presidential Administration, noted that with the establishment of the Judicial-Legal Council in 2005, the development of the judiciary in the country and the institutionalization of its governance entered a new stage. He stressed that within the framework of broad legal reforms initiated by National Leader Heydar Aliyev and continued by President Ilham Aliyev, the activity of the Council has been further strengthened, and effective regulatory mechanisms have been applied in the judicial system.
Mr. Gunduz Karimov, Head of the Department for Legislation and Legal Policy of the Presidential Administration, stated in his speech that over the past 20 years the Judicial-Legal Council has successfully accomplished a distinguished mission. Thanks to the dedicated work of the Council and its staff, a modern, knowledgeable, and conscientious judicial corps has been established in Azerbaijan. He emphasized that enhancing transparency in the judiciary is closely linked with the principles of legality, impartiality, and objectivity. Raising the efficiency of judicial proceedings requires unified judicial practice, effective and expeditious procedures, and clear and well-reasoned decisions. He underlined that the responsibility for forming such a judicial corps rests solely on the Judicial-Legal Council.
Deputy Speaker of the Milli Majlis, Mr. Ziyafat Asgarov, noted that much has been achieved in the judicial system of Azerbaijan. He stated that judicial decisions in Azerbaijan are rendered in full compliance with the law. At the same time, he emphasized that creating proper conditions for the effective operation of courts is of great importance and underlined that efficiency in the judiciary will continue to be enhanced.
Judge of the Constitutional Court and former Chairman of the Judicial-Legal Council, Mr. Fikrat Mammadov, recalled that the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, proclaimed the establishment of a democratic, legal, and secular state, attaching particular importance to the independence of the judiciary and the efficiency of justice. He pointed out that one of the very first instructions of President Ilham Aliyev after his election was to further modernize the judicial system. Accordingly, a relevant concept was developed, and eminent foreign experts were involved to ensure that the judicial system would be perfected in line with progressive international experience. As a result, within a short period, the Judicial-Legal Council was established as a fully independent self-governing body of the judiciary, and fundamental changes were made to the legislation regulating judicial activity.
In her address, Ms. Nino Kadagidze, Chair of the Supreme Court of Georgia, extended her congratulations on behalf of the Georgian judiciary, noting that the establishment of the Judicial-Legal Council marked a significant milestone in Azerbaijan’s history of legal reforms. She emphasized that judicial councils, as independent institutions, play a crucial role in the governance of judicial systems. Their mission is not limited to appointments, promotions, and disciplinary matters but also includes safeguarding the judiciary from external influence.
During the conference, Mr. Fikrat Mammadov, Judge of the Constitutional Court and former Chairman of the Judicial-Legal Council, was awarded the Jubilee Medal of the Republic of Azerbaijan — “20th Anniversary of the Judicial-Legal Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2005–2025)” — for his contributions to the activities of the Council and to judicial reforms.
The event continued with panel discussions on “Global Challenges and Modern International Solutions in Judicial Administration,” “Formation of the Judicial Corps,” and other topics.