Prepares respective documents with the view to organise procurement process of the Ministry and submits them to the “Judicial Projects Implementation Unit” State Agency of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia for organisation of tenders. Provides conclusions in accordance with the agreements concluded with the winning organisations. Each month makes the lists of energy and telephone consumption by the Ministry and subordinate subdivisions. Each quarter prepares reports on the state duty charged by the Ministry and on non-tax revenues thereof. Implements drafting of the state budget with regard to the Ministry. Prepares reports on the real property in the balance sheet of the Ministry.

STATUTE OF THE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia acts, based on relevant decisions of the Government of the Republic of Armenia with regard to a number of multilateral and bilateral treaties, as a Central Authority of the Republic of Armenia for the application of international treaties of the Republic of Armenia. Within the scope of legal assistance, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia is a Central Authority of 9 multilateral and 18 bilateral international treaties and, within the scope thereof, co-operates with the Central Authorities of more than 70 countries of the world.

Within the scope of the above-mentioned international treaties, the implementation of legal co-operation is ensured by the Department of Mutual Legal Assistance.

The Department has two divisions: Division for Extradition and Judicial Assignments and Division for Transfer of Convicts.

The Division for Extradition and Judicial Co-operation ensures, as prescribed by the treaties of the Republic of Armenia, examination of requests for legal assistance and judicial assignments submitted to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia (as a Central Authority prescribed by international treaties) by foreign states or the courts of the Republic of Armenia, as well as by other competent authorities of the Republic of Armenia, and organises the activities for forwarding them to relevant addressees.

The Department also carries out examination of documents for extradition of persons having committed a crime in cases pending in courts of foreign states which are parties to the international treaties of the Republic of Armenia, and files, on behalf of the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, motions to the competent courts of the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of extraditing persons having committed a crime and ensures the defence thereof in the competent courts of the Republic of Armenia.

The Division for Transfer of Sentenced Persons carries out, as prescribed by the international treaties of the Republic of Armenia, examination of requests and documents attached thereto, submitted in order that the convicts being citizens of the Republic of Armenia and serving punishment in foreign states serve the remaining part of the punishment in the Republic of Armenia, as well as that foreign citizens serving punishment in the Republic of Armenia serve the punishment in the country of their citizenship, and the relevant functions necessary for the extradition of convicts.

The Compulsory Enforcement Service is a separate subdivision of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia operating within the system of the Ministry, which ensures the compulsory enforcement of judicial acts provided for by the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On compulsory enforcement of judicial acts". Compulsory enforcement is a special type of state service, the peculiarities of which are defined by the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On compulsory enforcement of judicial acts". Adherence to the principles of lawfulness, respect for human and citizens' rights and freedoms, honour and dignity, as well as to the principles of humanity and publicity lie at the core of the activities of the Compulsory Enforcement Service.

The following shall be subject to compulsory enforcement:

1.    judicial acts on civil cases, except for judicial acts on the merits of the case on declaring a legal person or a citizen bankrupt and on instituting competitive proceedings, as well as judicial acts of the Administrative Court of the Republic of Armenia, except for judicial acts on cases provided for in Chapter 24 of the Administrative Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia;

2.   court judgments and decisions on criminal cases in respect to fines, confiscation of property, and levies of execution on property;

3.   judgments of arbitral tribunals;

4.   judgments and decisions on civil and economic cases of foreign courts and arbitral tribunals, as well as judgments and decisions on criminal cases of foreign courts in respect to compensation of damage and other levies of execution on property, in cases provided for by the international treaties of the Republic of Armenia;

5.   judgments and decisions of international courts to which the Republic of Armenia is a member (party), as well as judgments and decisions on civil and economic cases of international arbitral tribunals;

6.   decisions of the Financial System Mediator.

The objectives of the Department shall be as follows:

(1) to draft and implement the anti-corruption policy;

(2) to carry out monitoring over implementation of anti-corruption processes, anti-corruption strategy and measures.

6. The tasks of the Department shall be as follows:

(1) to ensure the drafting and implementation of anti-corruption strategy;

(2) to ensure and co-ordinate the fulfilment of international commitments in anti-corruption field;

(3) to carry out monitoring over implementation of measures of anti-corruption strategy and fulfilment of international commitments; 

(4) to implement the activities of the Secretariat of the Council for 

Anti-Corruption Policy.”

Statute Of The Department.

The inspectorate — in cases and in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law — examines, checks and summarises the activities of notaries, mediates the Minister to suspend the activities of a notary, supervises adherence by the notarial chamber to laws and other legal acts and to the statutory demands of the notarial chamber, notifies non-commercial organisations, accepts notifications, references, reports and other documents prescribed by law, warns a legal person about the elimination of revealed violations of the requirements of laws, recommends a procedure and time limits for elimination of the revealed violations, implements control over and supervises non-commercial organisations, including inspections, submits a request for suspension, as well as liquidation of non-commercial organisations and applies liability measures, controls the adherence by civil status acts registration bodies to laws and other legal acts, implements control over adherence to laws and other legal acts during the activities of the Judicial Acts Compulsory Enforcement Service and the Penitentiary Service, submits a recommendation to hold a compulsory enforcement officer or a penitentiary officer liable, conducts official exams and prepares materials of disciplinary proceedings against a judge. The inspectorate also receives citizens, discusses and analyses the activities of notaries, civil status acts registration bodies, the Compulsory Enforcement Service, the Penitentiary Service and the Agency for State Register of Legal Persons, the applications and appeals reporting about the grounds for instituting a disciplinary proceeding against a judge. The inspectorate performs other supervisory functions reserved to the Ministry and the Minister.

Performs registration of fixed assets, keeps entry and exit log of inventory, collects information on their position and physical flow, conducts registration, summarising and submission of reports thereon. Ensures smooth and effective work of computer and office equipment of the Staff of the Ministry. Ensures the maintenance of transportation means of the Staff of the Ministry, technical maintenance and repair thereof.

STATUTE OF THE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

The Personnel Management Department performs functions pertaining to the preparation and organising of competitions for the vacant positions of the Civil Service and other vacant positions, as well as certification and training; ensures implementation of activities pertaining to the maintenance of personal files and the Electronic Register of Civil Servants, as well as compilation and confirmation (alteration) of job descriptions of civil servants. It also ensures implementation of activities pertaining to the drafting of orders of individual nature and submission thereof to the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia and the Chief of Staff for signatures, as well as of other related activities conditioned by the above-mentioned functions.

STATUTE OF THE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

The Mobilisation and Civil Defence Division is a structural subdivision of the Staff of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia.

The Mobilisation and Civil Defence Division carries out the following functions:

1.   organises the activities for mobilisation preparation;

2.   organises the implementation of scientific and methodical, information, methodical and organisational activities for development of mobilisation preparation projects and plans;

3.   organises the preparation activities for measures ensuring the implementation of the state defence order (assignment) with regard to mobilisation preparation;

4.   organises the activities for the implementation of mobilisation plans and conducting mobilisation mock drills;

5.   organises as prescribed, the activities of registration of conscripts of the Ministry and enlisting of conscripts in the reserve subject to special military registration;

6.   organises the activities for the development of civil defence plans;

7.   submits recommendations on the development of civil defence and on the investments, material and technical resources and labour resources for that purpose;

8.   organises supervision activities over performance of duties by structural and separated subdivisions of the Staff with regard to the civil defence;

9.   draws up draft legal acts, recommendations, opinions and other documents deriving from the functions of and tasks set forth for the Division;

10. draws up documents (substantiations, statements of information, summaries) being submitted attached to the draft legal acts developed by the Division, as well as co-ordinates the drafts with the interested bodies,

11.  responds to written recommendations and applications submitted by citizens and legal persons with regard to the sectors being co-ordinated. 

STATUTE OF THE DIVISION FOR MOBILISATION AND CIVIL DEFENCE OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

STATUTE OF THE AGENCY FOR PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA
OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.   The Agency for Protection of Personal Data (hereinafter referred to as "the Agency") of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter referred to as "the Ministry") is a separate subdivision of the Ministry, which shall provide services in the sphere of protection of personal data in cases prescribed by law and in certain cases — also by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, acting on behalf of the Republic of Armenia.

2.   The Agency shall be established, reorganised and its activities shall be terminated upon decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia. The Agency shall act in accordance with its Statute, which is approved by the Government of the Republic of Armenia upon submission by the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter referred to as "the Minister").

3.   The powers of the Agency shall be defined by the international treaties of the Republic of Armenia, the laws of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the decisions of the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

4.   The Agency shall carry out its activities in conformity with the legislation and other legal acts of the Republic of Armenia.

5.   The Agency shall have the right to acquire and exercise property rights and personal non-property rights, bear responsibilities, and act as a plaintiff or respondent in court on behalf of the Republic of Armenia in cases provided for by law or other legal acts.

6.   The Agency shall have a round seal, forms, a symbol and other identification means with the image of the Coat of Arms of the Republic of Armenia and with the inscription of the name of the Agency in Armenian.

II. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE AGENCY

7.   The goals and objectives of the Agency shall be:

(1)  to ensure maintenance of the registry for those processing personal data;

(2)  to ensure protection of the rights of subjects of relations connected with the protection of personal data;

(3)  to ensure, within the scope of its competence, lawful processing of personal data.

III. FUNCTIONS OF THE AGENCY

8.   The Agency shall carry out functions provided for by the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On protection of personal data" for the purpose of implementing its goals and objectives.

IV. MANAGEMENT OF THE AGENCY

9.   The Agency is managed by the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter referred to as "the Minister"). The direct administration of the Agency shall be carried out by the Head of the Agency who is appointed to and removed from office by the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On protection of personal data". In course of his or her activities, the Head of the Agency shall be guided by the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, the international treaties of the Republic of Armenia, the laws of the Republic of Armenia, the decisions of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the Statutes of the Ministry and the Agency, as well as other legal acts.

10. The Head of the Agency shall be responsible for exercising the powers of an authorised body for protection of personal data.

11.  The Head of the Agency shall be accountable to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, the Minister, the corresponding Deputy Minister coordinating the activities of the Agency and — in cases provided for by the civil service legislation of the Republic of Armenia — also to the Chief of Staff of the Ministry.

12.  In case of absence of the Head of the Agency he or she shall be substituted by one of the Heads of Department of the Agency upon recommendation of the Head of the Agency.

13.  The Head of the Agency:

(1)  shall manage the current activities of the Agency, shall be responsible for the implementation of the objectives and functions set for the Agency;

(2)  shall submit to the Minister or his or her corresponding deputy recommendations relating to spheres of activity, goals and objectives of the Agency provided for by law, other legal acts and this Statute;

(3)  shall issue orders and give instructions within the scope of his or her competences, shall act on behalf of the Republic of Armenia and of the Agency without a letter of attorney, as well as shall issue letters of attorney to act on behalf of the Agency, including letters of attorney with the power of sub-delegation;

(4)  shall submit to the Minister or his or her corresponding deputy information about the process of activities being carried out by the Agency;

(5)  shall ensure the fulfilment of the orders and instructions of the Minister, as well as the instructions, assignments and tasks of the corresponding deputy and shall inform the Minister or his or her corresponding deputy about the results;

(6)  shall define the powers of the structural subdivisions of the Agency, in conformity with the Statutes of the Ministry and the Agency;

(7) shall listen to the annual reports on the activities of the structural subdivisions of the Agency, shall discuss the results of the inspection of the activities thereof;

(8)  shall control the protection of state ownership granted to the structural subdivisions of the Agency for use;

(9)  shall submit to the Minister recommendations for the structure and number of employees of the Agency;

(10) shall, within the scope of his or her powers, cooperate with state administration bodies, local self-government bodies and other bodies and persons;

(11) shall exercise other powers envisaged by law, other legal acts and this Statute.

V. ORGANISING WORKS OF THE AGENCY

14.  The Staff of the Ministry shall ensure the complete and effective implementation of powers reserved for the Agency by law, other legal acts, the Statute of the Ministry and this Statute, as well as the participation thereof in civil relations.

15.  The Agency shall have structural subdivisions. The employees of the Agency shall be civil servants who are appointed to and removed from office as prescribed by the civil service legislation of the Republic of Armenia.

16. The procedure and terms for reorganisation of the Agency and termination of activities thereof shall be established by law and other legal acts.

8.   "Expertise Centre" SNCO

The "Expertise Centre of the Republic of Armenia" State Non-Commercial Organisation is one of the leading organisations of the Republic of Armenia in the sphere of provision of services for the implementation of expert examinations. It has been carrying out its activities for half a century. The Centre was created as a result of reorganisation of the "Expertise Centre of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia" state institution upon the Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia of 28 November 2002. However, the Centre was established in 1959 as a scientific-research laboratory for criminalistics at Yerevan State University upon the Decision of the Council (Soviet) of Ministers of Armenian SSR, which was also performing the function of implementing judicial expert examinations. The goals of the Centre are: -development of expertise; -organising and performance of expert examinations, other scientific-research, scientific-technical, scientific-methodical activities; -coordination of research methodologies, development of new methodologies, experimentation thereof and guaranteeing for activities; -training and improvement of specialists in the field of expertise, as well as granting of qualification as prescribed. Based on the indicated goals, the Centre shall carry out the following activities: (a) performs expert examinations on contractual basis (within the scope of criminal, administrative and civil proceedings and other expert examinations), scientific, scientific-methodical research and scientific-technical works, organising the implementation thereof through involvement of its in-house and freelance employees, as well as, if necessary, through involvement of other specialists or through cooperation with other entities on contractual basis; (b) coordinates the research methodologies for expertise, drafts, experiments new methodologies and guarantees them for use; (c) summarises the practice of expertise and, on the basis of that, drafts methodological instructions and submits the recommendations of relevant organisations regarding the elimination of reasons and conditions contributing to the committal of violations of the law; (d) organises and carries out methodical and practical assistance in regard to expertise, gives clarifications of methodological nature and performs consulting; (e) prepares, publishes and sells handbooks, reference books, monographs, collections and other works relating to expertise; (f) develops plans for perspective development of expertise and submits them to the state administration body authorised by the Government of the Republic of Armenia; (g) trains and improves specialists in the sphere of judicial expertise and certifies their qualification in the prescribed manner; (h) establishes direct bilateral and multilateral relations with organisations and specialists of the Republic of Armenia and relevant foreign organisations and specialists, holds joint events, organises conferences, scientific consultations, seminars, participates in similar events organised by other organisations, carries out exchange of internships and of experience; (i) carries out measures aimed at improving the social and living requirements of its employees; The Centre shall be managed by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the Director of the Centre acting as the executive body of the Centre. 

 Personal data protection law.

 Annual Report  October 2015 - January 2016

The Agency for Expert Examination of Legal Acts of the Staff of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter referred to as "the Agency") is a separate subdivision of the Staff of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter referred to as "the Ministry") which, in cases prescribed by law and in certain cases — also by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, provides services in the fields of legal acts and draft legal acts expertise, registration and record registration of legal acts, acting on behalf of the Republic of Armenia.

Goals and Objectives of the Agency:

1.    to ensure the organisation and implementation of compulsory state expert examination of compliance of draft legal acts, the departmental regulatory legal acts adopted by the heads of state administration bodies of the Republic of Armenia and the regulatory legal acts of local self-government bodies of the Republic of Armenia with the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, the laws and other legal acts of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the requirements in the international treaties of the Republic of Armenia;

2.   to ensure record registration, state registration of the legal acts of the Republic of Armenia and ensuring implementation of the function by the depositary of regulatory legal acts;

3.   to ensure official publication and official republication of legal acts.

Functions of the Agency:

With a view to implementing its goals and objectives, the Agency performs the following functions as prescribed by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia:

1.    compulsory state expert examination of compliance of drafts of the laws of the Republic of Armenia, the regulatory decisions of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, the regulatory decrees and executive orders of the President of the Republic of Armenia and the decisions of the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter referred to as "the legislative acts") with the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and the laws and other legal acts of the Republic of Armenia;

2.   state expert examination of compliance of the existing legal acts of the Republic of Armenia with the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, the laws and other legal acts and the international treaties of the Republic of Armenia and submission of relevant recommendations regarding compliance;

3.   state expert examination of departmental regulatory legal acts and other regulatory legal acts provided for by law;

4.   state expert examination of the regulatory legal acts of local self-government bodies;

5.   record registration, state registration of the legal acts of the Republic of Armenia and implementation of the function by the depositary of regulatory legal acts;

6.   ensuring official publication and official republication of legal acts.

7.   official incorporation of legal acts;

8.   coordination of legal acts and organising publication thereof;

9.   performance of other functions prescribed by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.

Structural Subdivisions of the Agency:

1.    Division for Expert Examination of Legal Acts in the Fields of Constitutional and Administrative Law;

2.   Division for Expert Examination of Legal Acts in the Field of Private Law;

3.   Division for Expert Examination of Legal Acts in Tax, Customs Law and Other Financial Sectors;

4.   Division for Expert Examination and Registration of Departmental Regulatory Legal Acts.

The Statute of the Agency for Expert Examination of Legal Acts of the Staff of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia was approved by Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 1045-N of 5 August 2010.

The Department of Legal Support is a structural subdivision of the Staff of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia which has 2 divisions within its internal structure:

1.   Division for Development of Legal Acts

2.   Division for Provision of Clarifications

The Department of Legal Support of the Staff of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia is responsible for the development of draft legal acts within the scope of powers of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of improving the legislation of the Republic of Armenia. This function shall include the development of completely new draft legal acts that are being developed to regulate relations that are still not regulated, as well as introduction of amendments and supplements to the legal acts that have already been adopted and entered into force. The need for the Department to develop completely new draft legal acts may be conditioned by a number of factors such as contrasting interpretation of law in the judicial practice, acts adopted by the European Court of Human Rights or the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, international commitments assumed by the Republic of Armenia, ineffectiveness of legal regulation identified based on the results of the monitoring of application of regulatory legal acts, requirements of legal acts having a higher legal force, etc. The requirement to develop relevant draft legal acts may be envisaged by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Armenia, the Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia or short-term or long-term action plans approved by another legal act having a higher legal force.

The functions of the Department include the development of concept papers when developing draft legal acts providing for new approaches to the regulation of comprehensive social relations or being more significant. The development of a concept paper is an important safeguard for the implementation of well balanced law-making activities.

The Department is also responsible for analysis of the current legislation of the Republic of Armenia, which also implies identification of gaps in the legislation, inconsistencies and other shortcomings and development of legal acts aimed at eliminating the identified gaps, inconsistencies and shortcomings.

One of the most important functions of the Department is the organising of circulation of draft legal acts on the introduction of amendments and supplements to both newly developed and already adopted legal acts. This means submission of developed draft legal acts to other state and non-state bodies, organising of discussions on drafts, surveys, summarisation and submission of the draft to the Staff of the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

In addition to developing draft legal acts, the Department may also draft recommendations with regard to improvement of the legislation of the Republic of Armenia and submit them to the responsible bodies of the field for consideration.

In addition to the mentioned functions, the Department of Legislation, pursuant to Article 87 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On legal acts", prepares drafts for official clarification of legal acts. This function shall be performed by the Division for Provision of Clarification of the Department. Draft clarifications shall be drawn up in cases when legal acts contain wording that may cause imprecise or contrasting perceptions. Draft clarifications are also drawn up in cases when the legal act contradicts another legal act having a higher or equal legal force or when different provisions of the same legal act contradict each other for the purpose of determining the date of entry into force of the legal act, clarifying the issues of legal force, as well as clarifying other issues which have arisen as regards application of the legal act. It should be noted that the Department drafts official clarifications of the legal acts which are applied by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia. Moreover, the official clarifications of the mentioned legal acts may be provided exclusively by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia.

Powers of the Department also include drafting response letters to various enquiries submitted by the Deputies of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia regarding the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, as well as responding to the letters of the citizens and non-governmental organisations of the Republic of Armenia and, where necessary, organising consultations on any issue with the participation of citizens and representatives of non-governmental organisations, etc.

The "Expertise Centre of the Republic of Armenia" SNCO is one of the leading organisations of the Republic of Armenia in the field of provision of services for the performance of expert examinations. It has been carrying out its activities for half a century. The Centre was established as a result of restructuring of the "Expertise Centre of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia" state institution upon the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia of 28 November 2002. However, the Centre commenced its activities in 1959 when, upon the decision of the Council of Ministers of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, a scientific-research laboratory for criminalistics was established at Yerevan State University; the laboratory was performing the function of carrying out judicial expert examinations. The objectives of the Centre are:

-          to improve expert examinations;

-          to organise and perform expert examinations, other scientific-research, scientific-technical, scientific-methodical activities;

-          to coordinate existing research methodologies, develop new methodologies, test them and guarantee their use;

-          to train and develop specialists carrying out expert examinations, as well as grant qualification in the prescribed manner

Guided by these objectives, the Centre:

(a)  performs expert examinations on contractual basis (within the framework of criminal, administrative and civil proceedings, as well as other expert examinations), scientific, scientific-methodical research and scientific-technical works by organising the performance thereof with the help of its staff employees and freelance employees and, if necessary, by involving other specialists or co-operating with other organisations on contractual basis;

(b)  coordinates methodologies for expert examinations, drafts, tests new methodologies and guarantee their use;

(c)  summarises the practice of expertise and, on the basis thereof, drafts methodological instructions and submits to relevant organisations recommendations with regard to the elimination of causes and conditions contributing to the commission of offences;

(d)  organises and provides methodical and practical assistance as regards expertise, provides clarifications of methodological nature and counselling;

(e)  prepares, publishes and sells manuals, directories, monographs, collections and other works on expertise;

(f)   develops plans for perspective development of expertise and submits them to the state administration body authorised by the Government of the Republic of Armenia;

(g)  carries out the training and development of the specialists in the field of judicial expertise and the certification of their qualification in the prescribed manner;

(h)  establishes direct bilateral and multilateral relations with organisations and specialists of the Republic of Armenia and abroad, holds joint events, organises conferences, scientific consultations, seminars, participates in similar events organised by other organisations and carries out reciprocal internships and exchange of experience with these organisations;

(i)   implements measures aimed at improving social and living requirements of its employees. The Centre is managed by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the Director of the Centre as the executive body of the Centre.

The scope of activity and objectives of the Centre are the following:

(1)    organising training courses and special educational courses for the officers of the Penitentiary Service and the Judicial Acts Compulsory Enforcement Service of the Republic of Armenia;

(2)    developing effective and targeted programmes for the correction, social rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders (hereinafter referred to as “the social rehabilitation programmes”), including development of common criteria for training, cultural activities, sports, pedagogical activities, psychological activities and social work and submission thereof to an authorised body for approval;

(3)    implementing social rehabilitation programmes for persons being kept in confinement at penitentiary institutions or serving non-custodial sentences or persons under supervision, as well as those released from punishment;

(4)    ensuring employment for convicts;

(5)    supporting and promoting social initiatives during the implementation of activities with offenders in the field of criminal justice and providing state assistance to those initiatives;

(6)    implementing complex measures for the co-operation between state and non-state bodies within the scope of implementation of social rehabilitation programmes and organising events, consultations and conferences with foreign and international organisations;

(7)    providing the officers of the Penitentiary Service and the Judicial Acts Compulsory Enforcement Service of the Republic of Armenia, as well as convicts with higher education through relevant educational programmes;

(8)    conducting expert assessments on scientific-theoretical and practical research activities;

(9)    applying modern information technologies, computer and electronic means in a co-ordinated and comprehensive manner at all levels of education, as well as developing and enhancing systems for prospective professions;

(10)  preparing informational-analytical materials.";

The Secretariat of the Staff of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia performs the following functions:

•      electronic and paper based registration of incoming documents: official notes, assignments, judicial assignments, inquiries, applications;

•      ensuring circulation of entered documents, control over the implementation /terms/ of the entered documents;

•      registration of outgoing documents, electronic and paper based delivery;

•      archivation of documents;

•      performance of non-planned and other activities, as needed.

STATUTE OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

The Department of International Legal Cooperation of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia has two divisions: foreign relations and international treaties expert examination.

The Department carries out coordination of the international legal activities of the Ministry, is responsible for cooperation of the Ministry with international organisations, as well as bilateral and multilateral relations with the competent bodies of foreign states and for overall coordination of development and grant programmes being jointly implemented.

Within the competence of the Ministry, the Department of International Legal Cooperation performs expert examination of the international treaties of the Republic of Armenia.

The Department actively participates in both negotiations on the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and the development of draft agreements within the scope of free trade with the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union and third parties, carries out expert examination of documents that are part of the law of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Coordination activities reserved for the Ministry by the action plans deriving from the National Strategy on Human Rights Protection are the core functions of the Department, including summarisation of reports on implementation of the action plan, as well as organising of semi-annual public discussions on the process of the sessions of the Co-ordinating Council established with the view to co-ordinate and monitor the Plan and implementation of the actions envisaged by the Plan.

STATUTE OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL LEGAL COOPERATION OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

The Penitentiary Service is a separate subdivision of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia operating within the system of the Ministry which — as prescribed by the Penitentiary Code of the Republic of Armenia — ensures execution of punishments provided for by the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia and imposed by the court, control over persons having benefited from conditional early release and, — in cases of conditional non-execution of the punishment — over convicts to fulfil the duties imposed by the court, keeping persons under custody on the grounds established and as prescribed by law. The Penitentiary Service also performs other tasks provided for by law.

The Agency for State Register of Legal Persons provides services in the field of state registration of legal persons — ensuring functions of state registration of legal persons (with the exception of banks and credit organisations) and individual entrepreneurs being established in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, as well as registration of separate subdivisions and institutions of legal persons and registration of the media and mass media.

https://www.e-register.am/am/

"Official Bulletin" Closed Joint-Stock Company was established in 1997.

Until 2020, the company carried out the publication of the "Official Bulletin of the Republic of Armenia", "Bulletin of Departmental Normative Acts of the Republic of Armenia", "Bulletin of Legal Acts of Yerevan" and other official periodicals.

From July 1, 2020, in accordance with Article 25 of the Law "On Normative Legal Acts", the official publication of normative legal acts of the Republic of Armenia is carried out on the unified website of the RA Legal Information System (ARLIS) www.arlis.am.

Since 2005, the management and maintenance of the legal information system of Armenia, and since July 2020, the management and maintenance of the unified website has been carried out by the “Official Bulletin” CJSC.

The unified website is updated daily and is available 24/7.

The main function of the company is the official electronic publication of legal acts on the unified website www.arlis.am, the implementation of official incorporations of legal acts, the creation of logical connections between them, as well as the storage, management and maintenance of the electronic database of legal acts.

In addition to the main function, the company also carries out the publication, republication  and subscription of the "Bulletin of Laws and Sub-Legislative Acts of the Republic of Armenia", codes, other legal acts, as well as other activities not prohibited by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.

Since 2003, “Official Bulletin” CJSC has also undertalken the publication of official translations of foreign-language laws and other legal acts submitted for publication in accordance with established procedures.

 The unified website also includes legal acts adopted by the EAEU, the  ECHR, decisions of the Constitutional Court, the RA Court of Cassation, the Supreme Judicial Council, and various other legal acts that enrich the unified website.

 One of the company’s priorities is the continuous improvement of the Armenian Legal Information System, raising the legal awareness of the population of the Republic of Armenia, and providing timely and round-the-clock updates on legislative developments.

Address: 4 Tigran Mets Ave., Yerevan
Website addresses: www.arlis.am,  www.pashtonakan.am
Email: pashtonakan@arlis.am

Phone numbers:

• (+374) 10 52-01-28 – Director: R. Manucharyan

• (+374) 60 46-46-02 – Deputy Director: M. Karamyan

• (+374) 60 46-46-01 – Interim Head of Unit: G. Ananyan

• (+374) 10 54-44-41 – Subscription Manager: N. Gabrielyan

• (+374) 60 46-46-03 – Accounting Unit

The objectives of the Department shall be as follows:

(1) to draft and implement the penitentiary and probation policies;

(2) to draft and improve the criminal legislation, the legislation on criminal procedure and on operational intelligence activities;

(3) to implement the process of consideration of petitions for pardon;

(4) to carry out co-ordination of the activities of the Council for Juvenile Justice.

6. The tasks of the Department shall be as follows:

(1) to ensure the drafting and implementation of the strategy in penitentiary and probation sectors, to ensure the fulfilment of international commitments;

(2) to ensure the drafting and continuous improvement of criminal legislation, legislation on criminal procedure and on operational intelligence activities;

(3) to ensure the process of consideration of petitions for pardon;

(4) to ensure co-ordination of the activities of the Council for Juvenile Justice.

The “Translation Centre of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia” State Non-Commercial Organisation was established by Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No. 163-N of 22 February 2008.The scope of activity and goals of the Translation Centre shall be:

1.    translating the legal acts of the Republic of Armenia into English; 

2.   translating the legal acts of the European Union into Armenian;

3.   developing terminological glossaries, as well as creating, updating, developing and maintaining terminological databases; 

4.   ensuring the accessibility of translations through its website; 

5.   undertaking linguistic, including terminological, scientific-theoretical and applied research and peer review; 

6.   undertaking publication activity and sales of output; 

7.   preparing informational and analytical materials.

As types of business activities, the Translation Centre shall:

1.    carry out other translation tasks;

2.   provide translation services from English into Armenian and from Armenian into English on the basis of orders of natural and legal persons;

3.   carry out linguistic, including terminological, scientific-theoretical and applied research activities, peer reviews;

4.   undertake publication activity and sales of output;

5.   prepare informational and analytical materials.

Website: www.translation-centre.am

Director: Davit Gharibyan

The "Center for Legislation Development " Foundation was established based on Decision No 858-N of the Government of the Republic of Armenia of 25 August 2016.

The main goals of the Foundation are:

(1)    to support the development of the regulatory (legal regulation) policy of the Republic of Armenia, the introduction and enhancement of regulatory governance;

(2)    to carry out activities for the development of concept papers on the development of legislation that envisages new approaches to or is more important for the regulation of encompassing social relations;

(3)    to draw up annual plans for the drafting of legal acts;

(4)    to methodically organise and implement the process of developing drafts of legal acts based on the study of methodical guidebooks drafted by international organisations and law-making bodies in charge of development and enhancement of legislation and based on exchange of experience, including development and enhancement of methodical instructions to prepare for the drafting of legal acts;

(5)    to prepare, in case of drafting of legal acts, the concept papers thereof;

(6)    to analyse the existing legislation of the Republic of Armenia;

(7)    to develop recommendations regarding development of the legislation of the Republic of Armenia and introduce the bodies responsible for the given field;

(8)    to hold wide-format training courses for the abilities for drafting of the legislation;

(9)    to develop commentaries on legal acts;

(10)  to conduct comparative analyses of laws and publish materials and statements of information regarding the analyses;

(11)   to carry out innovative legal initiatives, conduct analyses and enhance contemporary law;

(12)   to assess the impact of non-mandatory regulation of legal acts drawn up thereby in sectors not reserved for other state bodies by law;

(13)   to carry out monitoring of the enforcement of regulatory legal acts in sectors assigned to the Foundation by the board of trustees;

(14)   to develop sufficient legislation for fulfilment of the commitments stipulated in the international treaties ratified by the Republic of Armenia in the sectors assigned to the Foundation by the board of trustees;

(15)   as a result of revision of regulatory legal acts in effect in the Republic of Armenia, to reduce the number of legal acts in the sectors assigned to the Foundation by the board of trustees, as well as carry out programmes and activities aimed at specifying and simplifying the legal acts;

(16)  to join local and international legal/analytical databases and ensure their accessibility to persons and institutions co-operating with the Foundation;

(17)   to co-operate with the centres for legislation development of different countries.

The Foundation itself may be involved in the following types of entrepreneurial activities:

(1)    organising and implementation of research, informational, expertise, analytical and advisory activities;

(2)    development of training and methodical materials and organising of courses;

(3)    provision of services supporting businesses and services for the development of business plans;

(4)    publishing activities.

The Civil Status Acts Registration Agency of the Staff of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia is a separate subdivision of the Staff of the Ministry which, in cases prescribed by law and in certain cases — also by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, provides services in the field of registration of civil status acts, acting on behalf of the Republic of Armenia.

The Agency is established and reorganised, and its activities are terminated by the Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia. The Agency acts in accordance with its Statute, which is approved by the Government of the Republic of Armenia upon submission by the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia.

Goals and objectives of the Agency are:

• to ensure state registration of civil status acts as prescribed by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia;
• to organise the archive of civil status acts registration;
• to ensure the creation of an automated database of civil status acts registration.

System and Functions of the Agency:

The system of the Agency is composed of structural subdivisions and territorial bodies. The structural subdivisions are divisions that comprise the central body of the Agency, and the territorial bodies are the divisions which are territorial subdivisions of the Agency. For the implementation of its goals and objectives, the Agency performs the functions prescribed by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia through the central body and territorial divisions.

The central body of the Agency:

• organises the process of state registration of civil status acts
• carries out maintenance, registration and distribution of civil status acts registration certificates
• organises and summarises the statistics of civil status acts registration and provides information on it
• organises and maintains the archive of civil status acts registration
• performs functions prescribed by law and other legal acts
• exercises powers connected with fulfilment of the international treaties of the Republic of Armenia within the scope of its competences prescribed by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia
• provides services for civil status acts registration in conformity with the list of services approved by the Government of the Republic of Armenia and with the amounts of the fees for those services.

Structural subdivisions of the Agency:

• Division for Civil Status Acts Registration and Apostilles
• Republican Archive of Civil Status Acts Registration

Territorial divisions:

• territorial division of the Chamber of Marriage of Registration of the Civil Status Acts
• territorial division of Yerevan for special services of the Agency for Civil Status Acts.