A new stage in the development of advocacy has begun in Azerbaijan

Three years have passed since the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated February 22, 2018 "On additional measures for the development of advocacy in the Republic of Azerbaijan."The Order, which gave impetus to sustainable development in the new period of Azerbaijan's advocacy, gave relevant instructions to a number of institutions.The recommendations given to the Bar Association of the Republic of Azerbaijan are reflected in seven sub-items of item 2 of the Order. The responsibilities arising from these recommendations have been successfully fulfilled by the Bar Association.

In paragraph 2.1 of the order, it is recommended to create conditions for the admission of new members, especially young lawyers, by organizing regular examinations in the specialty. Extensive work has been done in this direction.As a result, from the beginning of 2018 to date, the number of lawyers has increased by almost 100 percent, from 931 to 1,844.Most of these lawyers are young lawyers.This dynamic growth has been possible due to the fact that in the last 3 years the documents for advocacy have been received on a regular basis, bureaucratic obstacles have been eliminated and documents have been received in electronic form.Since 2017, 6 entrance exams have been held.This number would be higher if there were no restrictions under the quarantine regime created by the recent global pandemic.

The Bar Association is also working to promote advocacy among young lawyers.In particular, as a result of the efforts of the Chairman of the Bar Association Anar Bagirov, the teaching of advocacy law was organized at Baku State University's law faculty from 2020. Law students were recruited by the Bar Association at the Legal Aid and Training Center and other advocacy organizations.In addition to the effective cooperation of the Board with ELSA (European Law Students Association), a number of events with the participation of young lawyers, the organization of the VIII National Judicial Competition dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Bar Association of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Also, the fact that many young lawyers have chosen the profession of a lawyer in recent years is one of the indicators of the growing prestige of advocacy.

It is recommended to take necessary measures to increase the professional training and qualification of lawyers in order to constantly improve the quality of legal services specified in paragraph 2.2.Productive work has been done in this area as well.The “Legal Assistance and Training Center” established by the Presidium of the Bar Association on December 26, 2019, mainly provides professional legal assistance to citizens, organizes cases involving lawyers in providing legal assistance at the expense of the state, and provides lawyers with a court decision on these cases. ensures timely payment of the established fee.The center has a pro-bono lawyer's office.Since 2018, the Bar Association of the Republic of Azerbaijan has provided free legal assistance to low-income people in more than 23,000 cases through the Center.At the meeting of the Presidium of the Board on December 9, 2020, it was decided that the lawyers will provide free legal assistance to the families of martyrs and disabled veterans, as well as free representation in court proceedings.

In paragraph 2.6, to increase the transparency of the activities of the board of the Republic of Azerbaijan and to further expand public relations and to ensure the implementation of related measures, to continue the recommendation, to ensure the access of citizens of the board to full legal assistance.One of the achievements of the Board is the open register of active lawyers posted on the official website of the Bar Association. The register includes the lawyer's image, the legal institution in which he / she works, foreign languages he / she speaks, the duration of the lawyer's activity, education, contact phone number and areas of law in which he / she specializes.Thus, any person has the opportunity to freely choose a lawyer who suits his job and requirements.Reports on the work done by the Board, financial statements and issues discussed and decisions made at each meeting of the Presidium are published on the official website of the Board, social networks and various media, thus ensuring transparency and public access to advocacy is done.In order to expand the application of modern information and communication technologies in the activities of the Bar Association of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the practice of providing legal services in electronic form, the organization of a single electronic information system and the integration of this system into the "Electronic Court" information system are specified in paragraph 2.7.As a result of the work carried out in this direction, the function "Electronic Advocate's Office" was added to the official website of the Board in order to ensure flexible exchange of information between the Bar and its members, the transition to the "Electronic Judicial Portal".Thus, any lawyer has the opportunity to create an electronic cabinet on the site.It should be noted that about 100 lawyers were given "ASAN signature", more than 300 lawyers were provided with electronic signatures and about 1000 lawyers were trained on the capabilities of the electronic cabinet and electronic application rules in the "Electronic Court" information system.

In the end, I would like to emphasize that according to the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, ensuring human and civil rights and freedoms, a decent standard of living of citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the highest goal of the state.The Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated February 22, 2018 on additional measures for the development of advocacy in the Republic of Azerbaijan is also an important legal act adopted within the framework of the mentioned reforms.Because all the issues reflected in the Order are aimed at ensuring the right of everyone to receive high quality legal assistance, as enshrined in Article 61 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan.Strong and influential protection is a prerequisite for securing this constitutional right.
The Bar Association of the Republic of Azerbaijan is able to ensure the implementation of all issues, goals, objectives and, as a result, the right of citizens to receive high quality legal assistance in the current format. It shows that a new stage in the development of advocacy has begun in Azerbaijan.

Lala Naghiyeva

Member of the Presidium of Azerbaijani Bar Association