POLITICS
OSCE OFFICE IN BAKU SUPPORTS CONFERENCE ON REFORMS TO AZERBAIJANI BAR SYSTEM
The two-day event also discussed the impact of the amendments on the principles of regulation of the legal profession and on the working environment of lawyers in Azerbaijan, AzerTAj correspondent leant from OSCE office in Baku. Robin Seaword, Acting Head of the OSCE Office in Baku, noted that building public confidence in the country's judicial system was one of the reasons for his Office's involvement in Azerbaijani judicial process. "The need for an efficient law is unquestionable for the development of a transparent, impartial and fair legal system which reflects the needs of the country. The law is in place and now the time is right for concerted and coordinated effort to find a route to implement it for the benefit of all," he said.
Experts from Georgia, Poland and Russia presented a set of recommendations on practical aspects of the law such as the activities, internal regulations and disciplinary procedures of the College of Advocates, procedures for membership and the liability of lawyers to clients. The conference brought together some 100 representatives of the legislative and execute bodies, as well as practicing lawyers, judges, members of the Collegium of Advocates, representatives of international organizations, embassies, experts and non-governmental organizations.
The conference was organized by the ABA/CEELI, the OSCE Office in Baku, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the US Embassy in Azerbaijan.