One of the main directions of the Decree "On Deepening Reforms in the Judicial-Legal System", signed by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on April 3, is to improve material security of the judges in order to strengthen their social protection.

Mr. Farhad Najafov, the Head of the Office of the Presidium of the Bar Association, told AZERTAG about the importance of this decree and noted that the essence of this formulation, which seems simple at first sight, is to ensure the independence of judges. Simultaneous regulation of procedural and material independence of the judges is set out in all universal legal documents and it is certainly a necessary condition.

In this sense, the approach to the matter in the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan is compatible with international standards. It is also stressed in the decree that, prevention of interference to court activities in order to ensure the independence of the judges and as it was discussed above maintaining material security of the judges is a crucial point set out by the head of state.

In general, the European Charter on the statute for judges should be specifically emphasized as a comprehensive approach to strengthening the judiciary. Article 6.1 of the charter states: Judges exercising judicial functions in a professional capacity are entitled to remuneration, the level of which is fixed so as to shield them from pressures aimed at influencing their decisions and more generally their behavior within their jurisdiction, thereby impairing their independence and impartiality. Mr. Najafov noted that the decree "On Deepening the Reforms in the Judicial-Legal System", signed by the Head of State, is a progressive document adopted in accordance with the present-day realities, as well as international standards, and, ultimately, this decree serves the protection of the rights of our citizens "