As part of a visit to Oguz District, President Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of an office building of the district court.
The head of state reviewed the stands reflecting the appearance of the Oguz District Court’s previous and current buildings.

It was indicated that as part of the Justice Ministry’s “Modernization of the judicial system” project financed by the Azerbaijan Government jointly with the World Bank, the first court building has been built in Oguz District. The two-storey building covers an area of 840 square meters, while its own area is 1,500 square meters. Extensive landscaping work has been carried out around the building, the construction of which began in 2010.

There is a photo stand featuring the attention and care on the part of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev for the development of the judicial system in the country. The modern building is fitted with all the necessary equipment.

President Aliyev was shown design documents for the court buildings to be constructed as part of the Justice Ministry’s “Modernization of the judicial system” project financed by the Azerbaijan Government jointly with the World Bank. It was mentioned that the design of over 20 new court buildings and judicial complexes that would accommodate several courts had been prepared. Finishing work is currently under way at the buildings of the Yasamal district, the Ganja city NIzami district and Gadabay district courts. The construction of the Sabunchu and Shirvan judicial complexes is expected to start in 2012. Judicial complexes will enable several courts to operate in one building, which will save time in the consideration of complaints.

It was indicated that the new building of the Oguz district court has a number of innovations. It has administrative and public areas, and both have separate entrances. The administrative area is intended for judges and court employees, while the public area is envisaged for the citizens. The Justice Ministry’s executive group, the public prosecutor and defense lawyers will be using the public section. This will limit nonprocedural relations between judges and citizens, as they will only meet in courtrooms.

There are special displays in the public area providing information about the court. The building has two courtrooms, one of which is intended for civil cases and the other for criminal. The courtrooms are equipped with a system called Themis which conducts audio and video recording of the proceedings. There is a necessary infrastructure for video conferencing, presentations and electronic exchanges, as well as IP security cameras. The courtrooms are fitted with modern ICT equipment that facilitates the questioning of witnesses. Defendants do not sit behind bars, as is the case in other courts, but in a special glass cabin.

According to the UN convention on the rights of the handicapped, the Oguz district court has all the conditions for the free movement of the disabled. There are electronic metal detectors and toll gates at the entrances, which is important to the security of proceedings. Citizens can use banking, medical and postal services without leaving the building. There are also a training room and a library here.

A video link with the Supreme Court was established.

President Ilham Aliyev: Ramiz, can you hear us?

Chairman of the Supreme Court Ramiz Rzayev: Yes, Mr. President, I can hear you. Let me thank you on behalf of all judges for your attention and for these beautiful buildings, and reassure you that we will justify your confidence in us.

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you. As you can see, beautiful court buildings are emerging not only in Baku, but also in districts. Of course, the building of the Supreme Court is magnificent and grand. But these buildings are also nice and meet modern requirements. Let me congratulate all judicial workers on this great occasion.

President Ilham Aliyev was informed that the modern conference room of the court building is fitted with the latest equipment and technologies. These conditions enable judges and court employees to connect to proceedings, meetings and conferences of the Justice Ministry and plenary sessions of the Supreme Court. Judges, court employees and executive officials have excellent working conditions in the building. There are also special rooms for defense lawyers, prosecutors and witnesses.

After reviewing the building of the Oguz district court, President Ilham Aliyev gave a high assessment to the work done and wished the staff every success.