ArmInfo. A new structure will be introduced in Armenia - the commission of the general meeting on disciplinary issues, which will assess the integrity of judges. The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia on a single platform of legal acts www. E-draft.am is published for public comment on the package of amendments to the Judicial Code, the Law on the Constitutional Court and related laws.
According to the press service of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, the introduction of the new structure will allow, on the one hand, to increase the effectiveness of the fight against corruption and protectionism in the judiciary, to exclude personal relations when making a judicial decision, and on the other hand, it will make it possible not to violate the independence and stability of the judicial system. The commission will submit its decisions to the relevant structures, in particular, in the case of judges, to the High Judicial Council, endowed with a constitutional mission to ensure the independence of the judiciary, and in cases with judges of the Constitutional Court, to the Constitutional Court. In addition to judges, it is proposed to include one representative of the Ombudsman and two representatives of civil society in the composition of the commission in order to ensure the transparency of the activities of this commission. The draft amendments, among other regulations, provide for the application of a number of administrative proceedings against a judge on the basis of a failure to submit a declaration on property, income, and other necessary information about changing property to the corruption prevention commission. This may be considered a significant disciplinary offense, and the Supreme Judicial Council may decide to terminate the powers of a judge.
It is also planned to expand the powers of the commission on the prevention of corruption in order to develop the ability to analyze declarations. As a result of studying the act issued by the International Court of Justice or another international instance in relation to the Republic of Armenia, if there is a violation of the current legislation in the judge's actions, disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against him. Based on international experience, the minimum age for persons applying for judges is established - it will be reduced from 28 years to 25 years. It is also envisaged to introduce a scheme for early retirement of judges of the Constitutional Court in order to create opportunities for implementing the model for the formation of the Constitutional Court, as provided for by amendments to the Constitution of the country from 2015.
The Ministry of Justice expects the active participation of all interested parties in developing the best solutions for reforming the sphere.