MOSCOW, February 16 - RAPSI. Judges should only be appointed out of those who have worked both as prosecutors and attorneys-at-law, according to the government's plenipotentiary representative in the supreme courts Mikhail Barshchevsky.

During a discussion at the Russian Lawyers Association, he also noted that a reduction of people's distrust towards the judicial system requires increasing salaries for judges, controlling their expenses, increasing state duties, introducing the electivity of court chairpersons and establishing an internal security service. In his view, these measures will allow dispelling negative myths within the society about the judiciary.

Barshchevsky also emphasized that 140 lawyers have applied for the judge's status out of which only 40 passed the qualification exam, and only two became judges. However 29 prosecutors were appointed judges.

"It should be ruled out that a person who has never worked both as a prosecutor and an attorney-at-law may become a judge. The judge should stand above the fray," Barshchevsky said and added that, otherwise, parties to trials will find it easier to mislead judges.

"Judges appointment from the top is no good. The possibility of electing court chairpersons by judges of the same court should be explored," he said.

Then, he thinks, chairpersons will see protection of their interests and defense against administrative and criminal pressure as a priority.

Barshchevsky also pointed out the problem of courts' overload and proposed raising the state duty in order to promote out-of-court disputes resolution through mediation.

He also put forward an idea of setting up a federal service of judiciary protection, an organization which would not be a part of law enforcement authorities, but would protect judges and exercise control over them at the same time.

In his opinion such organization may be subordinate to the judicial department or directly to the president. He referred to the U.S. Marshals as a model for such service.

Besides, Barshchevsky has favored a raise in the judges' salaries.