Kazakhstan has approved new rules for access control and on-site security in court buildings. The document, published on the website zan.gov.kz, legalizes the use of digital documents and lifts the ban on bringing smart devices for trial participants, while tightening accreditation procedures for media representatives, reports infohub.kz.
The updated list of items prohibited from being brought into court premises includes an exception. Restrictions on bringing computers, laptops, smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and voice recorders no longer apply to direct participants in court proceedings. However, for other visitors who are not parties to the case, the ban remains. They are only allowed to bring mobile devices limited to basic call and SMS functions. Additionally, the new rules equate electronic identity documents with traditional paper ones. Personal identification is now legally carried out through the digital documents service.
A separate section of the document outlines the admission procedure for press representatives. Journalists are still allowed to bring professional equipment (audio, video, photo) and devices with internet access. However, the accreditation process for court sessions has been made more stringent. Media applications must now be submitted and approved no later than one day before the scheduled visit. To prevent unauthorized movement within the building and real-time broadcasting, media representatives must be met and escorted by press service staff. The use of equipment in the courtroom remains at the discretion of the presiding judge in accordance with procedural law.
The regulation establishes the status of a new authorized body—the Judicial Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan (replacing the abolished Department for Ensuring Court Activities). Access control has been switched to an automated access control and management system (ACS). Identification of judges and court staff is now carried out by security officers by comparing the photo on the system monitor using smart cards.
The previous version of the access rules for courts in the Republic of Kazakhstan had been in effect since April 2018. The introduction of new standards aims to strike a balance between anti-terrorism security requirements for state facilities and ensuring the openness of the judicial system to trial participants. The joint order was registered with the Ministry of Justice on August 13, 2026, under No. 39589 and will come into force ten calendar days after its official publication.