Judicial Systems Experience Exchange

Strasbourg, May 13, 2024 – As part of a working visit to Strasbourg, the Delegation of the Republic of Kazakhstan led by the Chairman of the Supreme Court, Aslambek Mergaliev, including the Assistant to the President of Kazakhstan on Legal Affairs, Yerzhan Zhienbayev, the Head of the Judicial Administration, Nail Akhmetzakirov, and the Head of the International Relations Department of the Judicial Administration, Shakir Shayakhmetov met with the President of the Strasbourg Court, Philippe Babo.

During substantive discussions, the parties discussed a wide range of issues related to the functioning of the judicial systems of both countries. Representatives of the Kazakh judicial system provided extensive information on judicial reforms implemented in the State, as well as on the status, levels, norms, judicial procedures, and overall judicial practice in Kazakhstan.

A.Mergaliev emphasized to his counterpart the formation of courts in our country and the guarantees of their independence and immunity. Special attention was paid to the dialogue on gender equality in Kazakhstan's judicial system, along with steady increase in the number of female judges at various levels, indicating the advancement of women in this field (District courts are represented by female judges at a level of 55%, regional courts – 45%, and the Supreme Court – 46%).

In his turn, the President of the Strasbourg Court introduced the guests specifics of organizing judicial proceedings in France, describing the methods ensuring the independence of permanent judges, including the process of their appointment by the President of the Republic on the recommendation of the High Council of the Judiciary.

Judges also discussed innovative methods used in the decision-making process in the examination of different categories of judicial cases. Special attention was paid to the use of artificial intelligence, which already handles approximately 25% of cases in Kazakhstan, contributing to increased efficiency and speed of judicial proceedings and reducing the workload of judges.

On his part, P. Babo noted that France has much to learn from Kazakhstan in terms of digitalization and innovative methods introduced to simplify judicial procedures. He expressed interest in further studying Kazakhstan's experience and the possible adaptation of these methods in the French judicial system.

The final stage of the discussion allowed participants Q&A session to experience exchange in the improvement of judicial systems. The parties emphasized that the meeting was an important step in the development of cooperation between Kazakhstan and French Strasbourg, with a expressed readiness for further possible mutual assistance within the framework of international agreements.