Kazakhstan has approved new rules for ensuring access and internal facility regime 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 participants in court proceedings, while simultaneously tightening the admission regulations for media representatives. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The updated list of items prohibited from being brought into court premises includes an exception. Restrictions on bringing computing equipment, laptops, smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and voice recorders no longer apply to direct participants in court proceedings.
At the same time, for other visitors who are not participants in the process, the ban remains. They are allowed to bring only mobile devices limited to basic calling and SMS functions.
In addition, 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 block in the document specifies the procedure for admitting press representatives. Journalists are still allowed to bring professional equipment (audio, video, photo) and devices with internet access. However, the accreditation procedure for proceedings has been complicated. Submission and approval of applications for mass media must now be completed no later than one day before the scheduled visit.
To prevent unauthorized movement around the building and live broadcasting, media representatives must be met and accompanied by press service staff. The use of equipment directly in the courtroom remains solely at the discretion of the presiding judge in accordance with procedural law.
The regulatory act establishes the status of a new authorized body - the Judicial Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan (instead of the abolished Department for Ensuring the Activities of Courts). The access regime has been transferred to an automated access control and management system (ACS). Identification of judges and court system employees is now carried out by security officers by comparing the photo image on the system monitor using smart cards.
The previous version of the rules for access control in the courts of the Republic of Kazakhstan was in effect since April 2018. The introduction of new standards is aimed at maintaining a balance between the requirements of anti-terrorist security of state facilities and ensuring the openness of the judicial system for participants in proceedings. The joint order was registered with the Ministry of Justice on August 13, 2026, under No. 39589 and will enter into force after ten calendar days from the date of its official publication.