Transparency and Accountability with the Launch of the “eCourt-statistics” Statistical Analytical Tool: Focus Group Discussion

On 29 January, another focus group discussion regarding the commitment “eCourt-statistics statistical analytical tool” was held. During the session, the work aimed at ensuring the public dissemination of statistics and ensuring transparency and accountability were discussed. Identification of the existing problems and the planned actions were discussed as well.

Representatives of the RA Ministry of Justice, the RA Ministry of Internal Affairs, the RA Court of Cassation, the RA Investigative Committee, the RA Judicial Department, the RA Statistical Committee, the RA Academy of Justice, “EKENG” CJSC, the RA Human Rights Defender’s Office, the RA Anti-Corruption Committee, the Chamber of Advocates as well as lawyers, sector experts, CSOs and media participated in the discussion.

At the beginning of the focus group discussion, Ms Rubina Mkhitaryan, Coordinator of Separate Functions in Structural Units of the Ministry of Justice, referred to the quality of judicial statistics, noting that quality includes ensuring the transparency and accountability of the judiciary for the public.

Further, the participants presented their questions regarding the expansion of the scope of the published information, the interoperability of different electronic systems in the field, the corresponding changes in the normative legal acts, as well as their observations regarding the steps aimed at increasing the level of public awareness about the tool. A question regarding the currently published statistics was raised as well. The participants mentioned that it would be more appropriate if the statistics were collected in an automated manner, rather than using human resources and in the form of a semi-annual or annual summary.

The focus group discussion was conducted by the Armenian Lawyers’ Association in partnership with the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia, within the framework of the European Union-funded “Multi-Faceted OGP Action: Open Justice & Anti-Corruption Commitments” Program, which is aimed at providing assistance to the Government in the implementation of two commitments under the OGP-Armenia National Action Plan 2022-2024: Establishment of E-Justice and Register of Gifts.