Main

The 20th Anniversary Meeting of Chief Justices of the Supreme Courts of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states was held in Hangzhou, China.

Delegations from participating countries took part in the event and discussed key issues of law enforcement, digitalization of judicial systems, protection of juvenile rights, countering crime and terrorism, and exchanged best practices in the field of judicial proceedings.

Irina Podnosova, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, welcomed the participants of the forum. According to her, the Meeting of Chief Justices of the Supreme Courts of the SCO countries has established itself as a proven international platform where participants in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect share best practices in the field of justice improvement. “The activities of the meeting have a practical substance, the topics of discussions have always corresponded to the current challenges and tasks facing the judicial systems of the participating countries”, - said Irina Podnosova.

“In recent years, the introduction of elements of artificial intelligence in the work of judges has been actively discussed. I believe that the discussion on this topic has not only an applied, but also an ethical aspect. Automated justice can significantly facilitate the work of judges and court personnel, but its application is possible only on undisputed issues, when the work of the judge is not related to the analysis of legal relations of the parties and has a technical nature”, - said the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Russia.

The head of the highest court also emphasized the need to protect the rights of minors and counter transnational crime, including new forms of terrorism. In her opinion, cooperation between the courts of the SCO countries remains a key element in combating these challenges.

Irina Podnosova noted that the adopted Joint Statement demonstrates the unified approaches of the Supreme Courts of the SCO states to key legal issues. “I am convinced that the announced decisions will contribute to strengthening trust and can be successfully implemented in the work of our courts,” summarized Irina Podnosova.

Almaz Ibragimov, Deputy Director General of the Judicial Department at the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, noted during his speech that the digital transformation of the judicial system requires increased attention to cybersecurity. He spoke about the implementation of the state automated system “Justice”.

Tatyana Vavilycheva, a judge of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, stated in her report that it was the responsibility of the court to ensure the protection of children's rights while considering relevant cases. She noted the need for a detailed examination of all the circumstances, including the living conditions of the child and his or her relationship with the parents.

The judge paid special attention to the housing rights of minors, emphasizing that children have an unconditional right to move in with their parents without the consent of the landlord. Tatyana Vavilycheva also spoke about the importance of taking into account the child's opinion in court proceedings with minimal psychological pressure.

Alexander Voronov, a judge of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, mentioned in his presentation the introduction in domestic legislation of a new qualifying feature for public demonstration of violent crimes. According to him, these measures contribute to a further reduction in violent crime.

The next, 21st meeting of the Supreme Courts of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states will be held in 2026 in the Islamic Republic of Iran.