NEWS & UPDATESDecember 5, 2025 Kazakhstan International CouncilNovember 28, 2025 Comments from Pamela Harris President, International Association for Court Administration
As President of the International Association for Court Administration, I would like to commend Kazakhstan for undertaking such a meaningful and ambitious reform of its judiciary. What strikes me most is the emphasis on expanding access to cassation review and eliminating procedural barriers that previously limited the ability of litigants to seek further judicial consideration. The decision to remove preliminary review steps and ensure direct, collegial hearings shows a strong commitment to transparency and fairness in the judicial process. However, as we all are well aware, change is difficult, comes with challenges, and many times requires resources.
In many jurisdictions around the globe — including the United States, structural judicial reforms often encounter tension between efficiency and access. Kazakhstan’s approach reflects a deliberate decision to accommodate higher caseloads in one area in order to enhance accessibility — indicating a commitment to increasing justice — but hopefully not at the expense of certain efficiencies.
Equally important here is the re-focusing of the Supreme Court, ensuring uniform interpretation of law, eliminating discrepancies in legal applications, and integrating legal standards. This aligns with global trends in certain judicial systems, where supreme courts evolve from primarily appellate bodies into institutions defining legal methodology, judicial philosophy, and normative coherence. I also welcome the emphasis on legal clarity through analytical summaries, judicial training, normative interpretations, and the responsible application of artificial intelligence as a tool—not a replacement—for judicial reasoning. All of these efforts - if implemented properly – will directly strengthen legal predictability and public trust and confidence in the legal system. I view Kazakhstan’s reform as a confident step toward a modernized judicial architecture—one that prioritizes fairness, clarity, access, and international legal alignment. I have enthusiastic respect for this direction and believe that Kazakhstan’s experience can serve as a meaningful reference in global discussions on judicial development and reform.
We all must remember that justice is not a static institution—it is a LIVING promise AND all of us here today have the privilege—and the responsibility—to shape how that promise is delivered.
In closing, I return to a simple truth: JUSTICE IS A UNIVERSAL language. It is spoken differently in every nation, but it should carry the same meaning everywhere—dignity, fairness, and respect for the rule of law. As we continue our work together, may we never lose sight of that shared purpose. Thank you.        
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