"CEPEJ is working on the development of common European standards for conduct of judicial proceedings by video conference"

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was revealed that some work was being done to continue online form".

According to the e-huquq.az, this statement made by the President of European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice of the Council of Europe (CEPEJ) Ramin Gurbanov at an online briefing on "CEPEJ and judicial reform: Azerbaijan's achievements." According to him, some changes should be made in the legislation to increase the efficiency of video conference form.

“There are some characteristics in conducting judicial proceedings as online. At this time, it was revealed some difficulties. On the one hand, there was a different approach to traditions. As you know that in traditional judicial proceeding, when a judge announces a decision, everyone stands up. However, due to some technical issues, it is not possible to do this in videoconference meetings. But the legislation sets requirements in this regard, and non-compliance can create some problems. Therefore, both the legislation and the approach must change. At present, video conference equipment is installed in at least one courtroom in the courts which have many cases. At least one or two courtrooms have been provided with this equipment in the Courts of Appeal. As part of the reforms with the World Bank, video conferencing equipment will be installed in more halls. It is advisable both in terms of speedy consideration of the case and protection of human rights. I would also like to note that the main criterion for conducting judicial proceedings online is to obtain the consent of the participant. Because We serve the citizens”, - R. Gurbanov said.

He noted that the CEPEJ is currently working on the development of common European standards for conduct of judicial proceedings by videoconference.