The meeting has discussed the issues of further modernization of the judicial system in accordance with the identified priorities in the current Address to Kazakhstan’s Nation.
- Court’s credibility is the state’s credibility. In this regard, there has been considerable work as part of the Nation's Plan titled “100 Specific Steps”. Improving the judicial system is an important aspect of modernizing our economy and enhancing the social well-being of citizens, Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
During the meeting, there were reports of Asset Issekeshev, Head of the Presidential Administration, Zhakip Asanov, Chairman of the Supreme Court and Talgat Donakov, Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council, on the results of the work of the working group on judicial system modernization commissioned by the Head of State.
The President of Kazakhstan instructed to take appropriate measures to address complex issues in the judicial system. In particular, the judicial load has increased over the past three years by 2 times.
- Per one working day, a judge is to conduct four meetings, make the same decisions and make 150 sanctions. Naturally, there is a question of quality. Thirty percent of these cases do not require legal proceeding, Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
The Head of State instructed to undertake steps towards reducing the caseload, simplifying the civil process, rising efficiency and transparency of legal proceedings in the country.
- One of the important issues is the quality of judicial personnel, their degree of preparation and adaptation to modern economic realities, which require a completely different approach. Legally illiterate judges will not help us carry out reforms. Judges must be models of competence, honesty, fairness and decency, the President of Kazakhstan said.
Nursultan Nazarbayev stressed that today the selection procedure for judges has been tightened. Thus, only 5 applicants out of 100 were able to pass the exam for the position of a judge. Such requirements were put forward to attract highly qualified lawyers competent in handling complex cases to the judicial work. Appropriate conditions will be created for such experts, including decent wages.
- I appeal to the judges who swore. Oath should be a guide to action, not layperson’s terms. Wages and provision of a judge are paid from the taxpayers’ money. Therefore, judges should show effective work. The punishment for a judge who violated the law should be the most severe, the Head of State stressed.
Nursultan Nazarbayev instructed to transfer the full range of personnel issues from the Supreme Court to the Supreme Judicial Council. Career promotion of judges should depend solely on their professionalism and decency.
The President of Kazakhstan ordered to work out a draft law aimed at the qualitative renewal of judicial personnel and submit it to the Parliament.
In accordance with the Constitutional Law “On Judicial System and Status of Judges in Kazakhstan”, there is professional assessment of 470 judges in 2019. In this regard, the Head of State instructed the Supreme Court and the Supreme Judicial Council to ensure objectivity in this matter.
- We will be able to modernize the judicial system in the event that there is strong trust in judges in society. Our ultimate goal is independent and incorruptible judiciary. Assessment of courts will be carried out not only by statistical methods, but also by conducting independent sociological research. Judges should understand that the assessment will be based on how honestly they work and inspire confidence. Based on strict adherence to legislation, prompt and transparent justice is in the basic interests of society and the country's strategic development course, Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
The Head of State also commissioned the development of new formats in legal proceedings and functioning of e-services, as well as to ensure creation of front offices in court buildings.
Control over actualizing the tasks has been assigned to the Presidential Administration. Particular attention should be paid to such aspects as the quality and timeliness of considering cases, as well as the satisfaction of citizens.
