On 1-2 July, 2011 the Discussion Club, created by Civil Society and Human Rights Council and Journalists’ Union in cooperation with the Judiciary Council,
discussed practical aspects of the court monitoring. Lev Ivanov, expert of the Institute for Law and Public Policy on access to justice, presented procedures and the main results of the
monitoring, conducted by the Institute in 2009-2010 in Leningrad and Perm regions.
As the results of the discussion the Agreement about the principles of the court monitoring conducted by the civil society was developed. This Agreement included a range of procedures first tested by the monitoring, implemented by the Institute.
In particular, the Agreement states that one of the main means to get objective, full and reliable information about the courts is organized and systematic observation of the hearings (monitoring). When selecting a scope and method of the monitoring it is necessary to bear in mind that it is unacceptable to interfere with the judicial activities and pressurize the courts. Monitoring conducted by the civil society should encourage fair, impartial and independent court procedures conducted within reasonable time, access to justice, fast and entire execution of the judgments. At the same time the results of the monitoring should not have any consequences for adjudication of the cases. Sharing information about the monitoring with the courts and judiciary, and in some cases seeking approval of the monitoring goals, terms, scope, methods, criteria for the court observers, publication of the monitoring results raises efficiency of the monitoring.
The round table convened a number of experts and representatives of the non-governmental organizations. It was also attended by V. Ananyev, President of the Yaroslavl Regional Court, V. Tkachev, President of the Rostov Regional Court, T. Andreeva, Deputy President of the Supreme Arbitrage Court, and judges. The round table was organized by Center of Legal Programs of Leonid Nikitinsky.