The action plan stemming from the 2019-2023 Judicial and Legal Reform Strategy provided for the strengthening of the independence and impartiality of the judiciary since 2020․

Advocate Artur Sukiasyan in the interview with a conversation with Iravaban.net mentioned that in his opinion no noticeable change has taken place in the sphere of judicial power during the mentioned period.

 “The system is essentially in the same state, and the positive changes are conditioned by the professionalism and integrity of the individuals working in the system, not by systemic changes,” he said.

It is also envisaged to improve the decision-making process of the Supreme Judicial Council, to ensure transparency and reasoning. The advocate mentioned that he did not register any changes related to the activity of the Supreme Judicial Council.

One of the Strategic actions also included strengthening the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, improving the public accountability of the judiciary, and having a judiciary free of corruption and patronage. In reply to the question whether the judiciary is independent and impartial now, Arthur Sukiasyan said, “Naturally, there are separate cases of influence on the judiciary, but during my professional work as an advocate for about 12 years, I have always considered the RA judiciary independent and impartial.”

According to the advocate, the judicial system of the Republic of Armenia is not free from cases of corruption and patronage.

“In order to have a judicial system free from such phenomena, it is first of all necessary to have a legislative field guaranteeing such a judicial system. Also, when filling the system with new judges, it is necessary to exclude the entry into the system of persons who have such tendencies, which is not done at present. Currently, this work is being carried out at a very low level, which indicates the lack of desire to clean the system from such people,” he said.