Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend K.Zarbaliyeva / Ramiz Rzayev, the Chairman of the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan, announced on 1 June that the Milli Majlis [ Azerbaijan parliament] will appoint judges to the newly established Courts of Appeal in Azerbaijan by the end of its spring session.
He noted that the judges will be appointed on the basis of nominations made by the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. After the appointment the judges will take their place in office.
Rzayev announced that appropriate buildings have been allocated for the Courts of Appealand land for regional areas has been allocated for the construction of new buildings for the Courts of Appeal.
Judges who possess the most experience will be elected to these posts. Further, examinations will be held to appoint an additional 55 judges.
In accordance with the presidential decree dated 19 January 2006, the Courts of Appeal was established in Ali Bayramly, Ganja, Sheki and Sumgayit. The number of judges was increased from 156 to 485.
Azerbaijan is one of the few places in Europe who holds the least number of judges. As a result of reforms held in the country, the material and socials state of judges has improved and they are appointed to these posts for life.
The Legal Council has taken disciplinary action with respect to the 75 judges. So far, 50 of them were given administrative responsibility and two stripped of their title as judges.