Azerbaijan has imposed disciplinary measures on 47 judges over the past three years and terminated the authority of eight others, Chief Justice Inam Karimov said.
Karimov, who also chairs the Judicial-Legal Council, disclosed the figures in an interview with Azerbaijani media published Thursday.
Judicial Oversight and New Appointments
Karimov said 177 judges were promoted in courts at various levels during the same period. Another 210 people were appointed as judges, meaning newly selected judges now account for more than 40% of those serving in courts of first instance.
He linked judicial independence to accountability under the law and said the Judicial-Legal Council would continue monitoring and evaluating judges’ work. Judges who fail to meet professional and ethical requirements face disciplinary action, he said.
Karimov also said each court now has designated spokesperson judges responsible for informing the public while protecting information covered by law and avoiding any interference with the impartial administration of justice.
Challenges to Government Decisions Rise
Karimov separately cited statistics from Azerbaijan’s administrative courts, where citizens and businesses challenge decisions by state bodies.
Over the past three years, the number of filings rose by 60% in courts of first instance, by 50% at the appellate level and by nearly 80% in the Supreme Court, he said.
Most rulings in such disputes were issued in favor of citizens and entrepreneurs, according to the figures he provided. Karimov said Supreme Court decisions should establish consistent judicial practice that government agencies and lower courts then take into account.
Electronic Court System Enters New Phase
Around 311,000 people currently use Azerbaijan’s Electronic Court information system. Karimov said the next objective is to eliminate paper-based document circulation and move toward a more intelligent justice system.
A working group has been created to examine the introduction of artificial intelligence. The technology could help prepare draft decisions, analyze legislation and standardize judicial practice, he said, but the final decision would remain with the judge.
Karimov stressed that artificial intelligence could assist the courts but could not replace judicial judgment.