Tasks and Functions of the Council of Judges
- Please tell us about the powers of the Council of Judges and its main functions?
- The Council of Judges is an elected self-governing body of judges, whose task is to protect the rights and legitimate interests of judges, as well as to represent their interests before state bodies, public associations, and the media. It controls the formation and execution of the budget of the courts, submits proposals to the president regarding the appointment of the chairpersons of the Constitutional and Supreme Courts, the dismissal of judges, and the assignment of qualification classes to them.
In addition, the Council of Judges elects two-thirds of the members of the Justice Council, conducts professional evaluations of judges' work, establishes the criteria for this evaluation, and addresses issues of disciplinary responsibility. It also coordinates judicial reform, organizes the professional development of judges, and convenes their congresses.
— What is the difference between the Council of Judges and other judicial bodies?
— It is important to understand that the Council of Judges is not a state body, but a self-governing body of judges. Its main task is to represent the interests of judges and monitor their professional and ethical activities. In contrast, the Judicial Department deals with organizational aspects such as finance and personnel issues. The Justice Council is responsible for selecting candidates for judicial positions and presenting them to the head of state for appointment.
Cooperation with Authorities and Protection of Independence
— How does your interaction with the president, parliament, and government proceed?
– We interact with the president on issues of the temporary suspension of judges, their dismissal, and the assignment of qualification classes. The decision on the staffing of the Supreme and local courts is made by the head of state based on the proposals of the Council.
Interaction with the parliament is carried out through discussions of draft laws concerning the judicial system and the status of judges, during which we submit our proposals and comments.
Our cooperation with the government is mainly related to the financing of the courts, material and technical support, and the implementation of programs for the modernization of the judicial system. The main goal is to maintain the independence of the judiciary and ensure the transparency of all processes.
– How is the composition of the Council of Judges ensured and how is the representation of different regions handled?
– The Council of Judges is formed for three years and includes 20 members elected at the congress of judges, taking into account regional and gender representation — no more than 70 percent of the members can be of one gender. Candidates are nominated by meetings of judges from the Constitutional, Supreme, regional, and city courts. The chairpersons of the higher courts, their deputies, and members of the Justice Council cannot be members of the Council of Judges.
– What measures are in place to protect the council from political pressure?
– The Council of Judges carefully monitors to prevent interference in the activities of judges. If a judge reports instances of pressure from officials, the information is forwarded to the Prosecutor General's Office or the relevant state body. This mechanism is an important protection for the independence of the judiciary.
Disciplinary Measures and Professional Evaluation
— How often do materials regarding disciplinary violations come in, and what violations are the most common?
– Materials are submitted to the Disciplinary Commission almost daily, indicating a high level of citizen activity and public attention to judicial ethics. However, it is difficult to highlight typical violations — each case is unique. The Commission considers a wide range of issues: from organizational errors to procedural violations. The main thing is that the decisions of the Council are legal, justified, and fair.
— How transparent is the procedure for reviewing complaints?
– The Disciplinary Commission under the Council of Judges reviews appeals from individuals and legal entities, as well as submissions from the prosecutor's office. After receiving a complaint, if it is subject to review, a service investigation is conducted, explanations from the judge are collected, and necessary documents are examined. A conclusion is prepared for the meeting of the Council of Judges, where a final decision is made.
Some complaints, for example, those disagreeing with judicial acts, are not considered, as there is a different procedure for appeal. The procedure is completely transparent, and decisions are published on our website.
— How is the work of judges evaluated?
– The effectiveness of the work of the courts and judges is evaluated based on quarterly reports submitted by the courts and the Supreme Court. Within the structure of the Supreme Court, there is a department that analyzes and summarizes incoming data, identifies trends and problem areas.
The results of the analysis are used to assess the quality of the work of the courts and to prepare proposals for improving judicial activities. In addition, on September 5, a commission for the professional evaluation of judges was established, which conducts evaluations every four years, except for judges of the higher court and those with more than 20 years of experience. Based on the evaluation results, a judge may be sent for further training at the Higher School of Justice.
— How does the Council of Judges influence the professional level of judges?
– The Council approves training programs at the Higher School of Justice, where judges can enhance their qualifications and undergo retraining. The training is aimed at improving knowledge, ethical culture, and increasing the efficiency of judges' work.
The Council supports the continuous professional development of judges through their evaluation. Judges can also enhance their qualifications by applying for seminars at the Higher School of Justice.
Transparency and Public Oversight
— What is the level of openness of the work of the Council of Judges and the courts?
– The work of the Council is as open as possible. Meetings can take place in the presence of the media, which can be accredited to cover the process. All decisions and news are published on the official website of the Council of Judges. Previously, the activities of the Council were covered by the public organization "Koom.kg," which also contributed to transparency.
— How do you respond to criticism from human rights defenders and civil society?
– We take criticism with respect and consider it an important source of feedback. All comments are analyzed, and if there are grounds, measures are taken. The Council of Judges is open to dialogue with society, which helps strengthen trust in the judicial system.
Reforms and Priority Tasks
– What priority tasks does the Council of Judges have for the next two to three years?
– The priority tasks are defined in the State Program "Development of the Judicial System for 2023-2026." These include the modernization of courts, the improvement of judges' qualifications, strengthening their independence, and increasing citizens' trust in justice.
In accordance with the presidential decree of June 5, 2025, the National Development Program of the Kyrgyz Republic until 2030 has been adopted. Considering the tasks set, we have begun developing a state program for 2026-2030.
— What reforms have been implemented in the past year?
– In the past year, several significant reforms have been carried out. The composition of the Council was increased from 15 to 20 members, which allowed for the activation of the Commission for the Professional Evaluation of Judges. A professional evaluation of judges of local courts has been introduced, which will be conducted every four years, based on criteria of competence and personal qualities.
A new procedure for selecting judges has also been introduced, which came into effect on December 5. The changes are aimed at the qualitative selection of judges and the prompt appointment to vacant positions, which will help avoid increasing the workload on other judges in case of vacancies.
Now the competition will be announced without specifying specific vacancies, and the formed reserve of candidates will undergo three stages, using digital technologies to minimize the human factor.
– How can citizens' trust in the judicial system be increased?
– Transparency, openness, and professionalism are key factors. Citizens must see that the courts operate honestly and independently. It is important to develop a system of ethical oversight, strengthen the disciplinary responsibility of judges, combat corruption, and actively explain citizens' rights and opportunities for protection in court. We have already begun broadcasting court sessions in pilot mode for certain categories of cases, which I believe will also help increase trust in the courts.
Workload and New Control Tools
– What is the current workload of judges?
– The workload of judges has significantly increased, which is related both to the growing number of citizen appeals and to the rise in crime and lawsuits. New categories of cases are emerging, which affects the overall volume of work. Analysis for 2024 shows that the number of incoming cases has increased both across the republic and in Bishkek.
In the capital, one judge considers between 50 to 85 cases per month, which significantly exceeds previous standards, where the benchmark was about 20 cases. This high workload reduces the quality of work, as there is less time for preparing reasoned decisions, increasing the risk of procedural errors.
Currently, a comprehensive analysis is being conducted, and based on its results, we will propose increasing the number of judges and optimizing the structure of certain courts for the even distribution of cases and improving the quality of justice.
– Is there monitoring of judicial decisions and the behavior of judges?
– Yes, we pay special attention to this. In February, information stands with QR codes for feedback were installed in all 72 courts of the country.
Every citizen can anonymously evaluate the work of the court through the QR code: the quality of case consideration, the professionalism of the judge, the work of the staff, and the conditions in the building. These signals help us see the real picture and respond promptly to identified problems.
The survey covers various aspects — from the accessibility of the process to the behavior of judges and their attitude towards citizens. For us, this is a valuable tool that enhances transparency, increases accountability, and strengthens trust in the judicial system.
– What reforms are needed to improve the quality of judicial proceedings in Kyrgyzstan?
– Effective reforms can only be implemented with the quality work of all participants in the process. A judge must remain an independent and impartial arbiter, and the outcome of a case depends on their professionalism. However, a quality judicial act is impossible without proper investigation and professional work by the lawyer.
Therefore, comprehensive reforms are necessary: strengthening the independence of judges, raising the standards of their training, improving the quality of investigations, and developing the institution of advocacy. Strong protection makes the process more objective.
The goal is for each case to be considered quickly, professionally, and fairly, which is only possible with the diligent work of all links — investigation, prosecution, advocacy, and the court.
– What is the level of openness of the courts to society and the media?
– The courts are as open as possible to society and the media. Press secretaries work in each region, providing timely and accurate information. Press secretaries are in constant contact with journalists, helping to cover judicial processes.
In recent years, bloggers have also actively engaged in judicial topics, covering high-profile cases. This openness helps citizens better understand the work of the courts and increases legal literacy.
It is important that the coverage of judicial processes is objective and does not violate the rights of participants. Only in this way will openness contribute to strengthening public trust in justice.
– What do you think is undervalued in the work of judges?
– It is the moral and emotional side of their work. A judge makes decisions every day that affect people's lives, and at the same time must maintain impartiality. This is a constant balance between the law and justice. People see only the results, not realizing the internal struggle that precedes each decision.
High-profile Cases and Presumption of Innocence
- How do you comment on the detention of three judges in the case of the taxi driver-maniac?
— This issue has caused wide public resonance. The Council of Judges agreed to procedural actions against the former judges to thoroughly and objectively establish the truth.
However, it is important to emphasize that this does not imply recognition of anyone's guilt. In the Kyrgyz Republic, the presumption of innocence is in effect, and only the court can provide a final legal assessment. We are confident that the investigative bodies will conduct an objective investigation within the framework of the law, respecting the rights of all participants in the process.
The judiciary is open to a legal assessment of its actions and is interested in resolving any doubts legally. This is necessary to maintain public trust in justice.
– Tell us about your career path in the judicial system.
– My career in the judicial system is a journey filled with hard work and a deep understanding of justice. I started as a courier in the court and gradually rose to the position of a judge of the Supreme Court. Each stage of my journey has given me invaluable experience, allowing me to understand the workings of the judicial system from the inside — from organizational issues to decision-making.
Now, as a judge of the Supreme Court and Chairperson of the Council of Judges, I strive to use my experience to strengthen the independence of judges, improve the judicial system, and increase trust in the courts.
