Judges Will Be Able to Appeal Supreme Judicial Council Decisions – Minasian Details

In the permanent committee on legal affairs of the National Assembly of Armenia, Justice Minister Grigor Minasian announced that judges in Armenia will be able to appeal decisions made by the Supreme Judicial Council regarding their disciplinary accountability and the termination of their powers.

The minister presented a draft bill on amendments and changes to the "Judicial Code of the Republic of Armenia," adding that the Armenian legislation did not allow for appeals of Supreme Judicial Council decisions.

The issue of holding a judge accountable is examined by a panel consisting of four members of the Supreme Judicial Council. Minasian noted that in the case of an appeal, the Supreme Judicial Council's decisions will be reviewed again, but by a panel now consisting of six members. An appeal against the decision concerning a judge is set to have a two-month deadline.

According to Minasian, the previous decisions made by the Supreme Judicial Council will not be subject to appeal, meaning that this legislative change will not have retroactive effect.

The draft bill on amendments and changes to the "Judicial Code of the Republic of Armenia" has received a positive conclusion in the permanent committee on legal affairs of the National Assembly and will be sent for discussion in a full session of the National Assembly.