Chief Justice Martha Koome on Wednesday hosted the Chief Justice of Azerbaijan Justice Inam Karimov and his delegation.
The high-level engagement is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen judicial diplomacy and foster international collaboration in the realm of justice.
The visit underscored the importance of global partnerships in enhancing judicial systems, particularly in areas such as digitalisation and environmental justice.
Both Kenya and Azerbaijan have been working towards innovative solutions to tackle modern challenges in the legal sector and the discussions between the two judicial bodies were focused on sharing best practices to improve the efficiency and accessibility of justice for their citizens.
CJ Koome expressed her gratitude for the discussions and the opportunities for continued dialogue.
“This visit marks a significant milestone in our efforts to build lasting judicial partnerships,” she said.
“Through this collaboration, we not only strengthen our institutions but also ensure that justice is served more efficiently and equitably for all our citizens.”
The visit yielded key highlights including productive conversations between Chief Justice Karimov’s team and the Principal Judges of High Court, Environment and Land Court, and the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
Their talks centered on the judicial digitalisation initiatives that Kenya has successfully implemented, as well as strategies for “green justice” – an area in which both nations are keen to develop stronger judicial responses to environmental concerns.
Azerbaijan’s delegation also met with the Tribunals Secretariat and Chairpersons of select Tribunals, where they discussed Kenya’s Tribunals Model, which provides alternative dispute resolution pathways.
The exchange prompted a keen interest from Azerbaijan in adopting similar models to enhance their own judiciary’s capacity to handle specialized cases.
One of the most significant aspects of the visit was the delegation's tour of the Kahawa Law Courts, which specialises in counter-terrorism and transnational crimes.
The Chief Justice and his team engaged with Kenyan judges presiding over such complex cases, discussing best practices in handling serious crimes, security protocols, and capacity-building initiatives.
In addition to the official discussions, the Senior Counsel Bar hosted a luncheon in honor of Chief Justice Karimov, where leading legal practitioners from both Kenya and Azerbaijan explored opportunities for cross-border legal practice, international arbitration, and commercial law.
The meeting provided a platform for discussing potential professional exchanges between Kenyan and Azerbaijani legal professionals, opening the door for future collaboration in areas such as energy, mining, agriculture, and regional trade.
Both countries emphasised the importance of ongoing cooperation to address emerging challenges in the legal field, and there is a shared commitment to fostering these partnerships in the future.
