Kristineh Mkoyan is one of a rare breed of judges in Armenia. She doesn’t accept bribes from litigants.

Named the “Best Judge” in Armenia this year, Judge Mkoyan says she has no difficulty refusing bribes when offered.

“I receive a relatively good salary, I wouldn’t call it very high, and I think that any rational person wouldn’t take such risks.”

Judge Mkoyan graduated from the Yerevan State University’s Faculty of Law in 1999. One day the Deputy Director called her into his office and said that there was an opening for a judge’s assistant at the Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeytun Administrative Court.

Mkoyan says that many at the school could only dream of such advancement and believed that the only way to achieve it was through nepotism or having a friend on the inside.

But the future judge had no such connections and made the grade through constant study and gaining legal experience by working at various organizations.

She worked at the Arabkir Court till 2003, first as a judge’s assistant and later as chief of staff.

Mkoyan was attracted to the judgeship by the picture she had received of a judge’s responsibilities while attending the university.

“It seemed to me that a judge is supposed to serve as an example for all citizens, that everyone could learn something from him or her,” Mkoyan says.

While she doesn’t go into details about what type of judge she worked for at the start, Mkoyan confesses that the experience was a rewarding one. The newly graduated law student realized that she no longer wanted to be a mere assistant but to hold the judge’s gavel in her hand.

Her next career move up the ladder saw her working at the president’s office from 2003 to 2008 in the personnel department. Later on, she transferred to the Department of Legal Affairs as a socialist.

“It’s funny in a way, but I believe that to be the best one mustn’t focus solely on advancement. I don’t sit down and program who to be and how. That’s just who I am,” Judge Mkoyan says.

In 2008, Mkoyan was appointed an Administrative Court judge.

She says that when ones conscience and the law work in tandem, what results is a very beneficial mixture.

Judge Mkoyan confesses, however, that she has handed down decisions that have gnawed at her conscience even while being lawful.

“You really have to control yourself,” she calmly smiles. “For instance, it’s   very taxing to have to adjudicate family related issues; those between a mother and her son. The son has kicked the parents out because he is cleverer than they are and has used the law to his advantage.”

When no laws have been violated, it’s not within the purview of a judge to evaluate the degree of cleverness of a citizen.

Mkoyan says that to make one remorseful before the law remains one of the most difficult jobs she faces.

Named the “Best Judge” in Armenia this year, Judge Mkoyan says she has no difficulty refusing bribes when offered.

“I receive a relatively good salary, I wouldn’t call it very high, and I think that any rational person wouldn’t take such risks.”

Judge Mkoyan graduated from the Yerevan State University’s Faculty of Law in 1999. One day the Deputy Director called her into his office and said that there was an opening for a judge’s assistant at the Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeytun Administrative Court.

Mkoyan says that many at the school could only dream of such advancement and believed that the only way to achieve it was through nepotism or having a friend on the inside.

But the future judge had no such connections and made the grade through constant study and gaining legal experience by working at various organizations.

She worked at the Arabkir Court till 2003, first as a judge’s assistant and later as chief of staff.

Mkoyan was attracted to the judgeship by the picture she had received of a judge’s responsibilities while attending the university.

“It seemed to me that a judge is supposed to serve as an example for all citizens, that everyone could learn something from him or her,” Mkoyan says.

While she doesn’t go into details about what type of judge she worked for at the start, Mkoyan confesses that the experience was a rewarding one. The newly graduated law student realized that she no longer wanted to be a mere assistant but to hold the judge’s gavel in her hand.

Her next career move up the ladder saw her working at the president’s office from 2003 to 2008 in the personnel department. Later on, she transferred to the Department of Legal Affairs as a socialist.

“It’s funny in a way, but I believe that to be the best one mustn’t focus solely on advancement. I don’t sit down and program who to be and how. That’s just who I am,” Judge Mkoyan says.

In 2008, Mkoyan was appointed an Administrative Court judge.

She says that when ones conscience and the law work in tandem, what results is a very beneficial mixture.

Judge Mkoyan confesses, however, that she has handed down decisions that have gnawed at her conscience even while being lawful.

“You really have to control yourself,” she calmly smiles. “For instance, it’s   very taxing to have to adjudicate family related issues; those between a mother and her son. The son has kicked the parents out because he is cleverer than they are and has used the law to his advantage.”

When no laws have been violated, it’s not within the purview of a judge to evaluate the degree of cleverness of a citizen.

Mkoyan says that to make one remorseful before the law remains one of the most difficult jobs she faces.