Kazakhstan's Courts Transform with Digital Justice and Sweeping Reforms
Building a Just Kazakhstan: The Evolving Role of the Courts
Today, the pursuit of a fair and just Kazakhstan demands a fresh perspective on the role of the judiciary. The court system is the cornerstone of social stability, and modern civil justice is no longer merely a mechanism for resolving private disputes. It has become a vital pillar in upholding legal stability, safeguarding state-guaranteed rights, and reinforcing the "Law and Order" doctrine championed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The primary mission of the courts is to ensure that the rule of law functions in practice. Systemic judicial reforms aim to streamline procedures, eliminate red tape, and create conditions where the courts unconditionally prioritize the protection of citizens' social rights—including labor, health, and well-being.
The rapid evolution of legal relations and the integration of digital technologies have driven judicial reforms, placing the protection of rights and procedural efficiency at the forefront.
One of the key tools in overcoming formalism in civil proceedings is the judge's proactive role. Judges now have the authority to independently gather evidence and assist parties in uncovering the truth. Kazakhstan's civil justice system, which serves as the foundation for administrative and investment litigation, is successfully adopting advanced international practices. To expedite justice, many straightforward, low-value claims are resolved through simplified (written) proceedings.
Another innovation borrowed from English common law is the pre-action protocol—a procedure that encourages parties to settle disputes before formal litigation begins. This mechanism is designed to foster compromise and reconciliation without court intervention. By exchanging information, parties can realistically assess their legal prospects. Resolving disputes at this stage avoids litigation costs, such as state fees and legal representation. In 2025 alone, 37,272 individuals used this method to settle their conflicts.
Thanks to these measures, the settlement rate has surged from 3% to 46% in recent years. Today, one in three cases is resolved amicably, preserving not only financial resources (with a full refund of state fees) but also personal relationships. To further ensure access to justice, individuals and organizations facing financial hardship when filing a claim can now request a deferral of court fees.
Kazakhstan's Judicial System Embraces AI as Global Trend Takes Hold
The adoption of artificial intelligence is a worldwide trend, and Kazakhstan's judicial system is actively integrating these technologies. The pandemic forced courts to shift proceedings into the digital realm, demonstrating the legal system's flexibility and readiness to meet digital challenges. Today, over 95% of claims are filed online, while 80% of hearings are conducted via video conferencing.
This digital transformation has enabled the introduction of extraterritorial jurisdiction since August 2022. With the consent of both parties, cases are automatically distributed among all courts in the republic, regardless of the dispute's geographical location. This eliminates corruption risks, balances caseloads, and strengthens public trust in the judiciary. Over the past year, nearly 3,000 cases have been assigned under this system, proving its popularity among legal participants.
Digital services and smart assistants are also in place, simplifying interactions between citizens and courts while easing judges' workloads. Courts successfully use the "Digital Judicial Analytics" system, which incorporates AI elements. The program instantly analyzes millions of legal documents, identifies relevant precedents, and predicts case outcomes. Automated processes now handle travel restrictions for debtors and court orders for child support. However, AI remains an assistant—human judges stay at the heart of justice. Kazakhstan's advancements in IT-driven justice and transparency (including live-streamed high-profile cases) have earned high praise from the Council of Europe (CEPEJ) and international media.
To ensure a comprehensive approach to family and child protection, all disputes involving minors' rights and interests have been transferred to specialized inter-district juvenile courts as of September 1, 2023. Previously, these cases were handled by various courts; now, they are centralized. This reform aims to enhance mechanisms for protecting motherhood and childhood, strengthen the institution of the family, and support children—the nation's future.
With expanded jurisdiction, courts can now resolve multiple issues in a single proceeding, including child support, custody arrangements, and visitation rights. Given the priority of these cases, the Supreme Court regularly reviews how lower courts apply family law and provides clarifications in normative rulings.
The role of appellate courts has also been strengthened. Regional courts no longer remand cases for retrial but issue final rulings themselves, ending protracted legal battles and increasing accountability for judges at both levels.
In recent years, one of the most debated public issues has been the rules of cassation proceedings. The current model—where a single Supreme Court judge pre-selects civil cases—has faced societal criticism.
Major Judicial Reforms Take Effect in Kazakhstan on July 1, 2025
As of July 1, 2025, these issues have been resolved. The capital now has three independent cassation courts—one each for criminal, civil, and administrative cases. The constitutional principle of equal access to justice has been fully upheld: a unified "comprehensive cassation" model has been introduced across all types of legal proceedings. The subjective preliminary screening process has been entirely abolished. Now, any cassation appeal filed in accordance with the law is directly reviewed by a panel of three judges in an open court session.
To prevent judicial rulings from causing severe and irreversible harm to people's lives and health, as well as to the economy and national security—and to safeguard public interests and ensure consistent application of the law—the Supreme Court retains the authority to review judicial acts on exceptional grounds.
With the transfer of direct case review functions to the new cassation courts, the role of the Supreme Court has undergone a fundamental transformation. It now focuses on its core constitutional mission: ensuring uniformity in judicial practice.
Consistency in law enforcement is a shared goal and a cornerstone of judicial quality. The Supreme Court's clarifications will promptly consolidate judicial practice, eliminating legal precedents that no longer align with current realities.
In the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index, Kazakhstan maintains its leading position in civil justice across Eastern Europe and Central Asia—a testament to systematic reform. Yet challenges remain. The most critical is ensuring that every Kazakh citizen, when turning to the courts, encounters not an impersonal bureaucracy but a fair arbiter who upholds their rights, the law, and order.
The strategy for building a Just State in Kazakhstan—rooted in the messages and addresses of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, including his speeches at the National Kurultai and based on the ideology of "Law and Order"—fully aligns with modern international standards for sustainable societal development.
