Azərbaycan cinayət mühakimə icraatında hüquqi şəxslərin iştirakının formalaşması mərhələlərinin təhlili

This article explores the historical evolution of legal entities’ participation in Azerbaijan’s criminal proceedings, distinguishing five key developmental stages. During 1923–1960, legal entities were first referenced, yet their role remained limited, and they were not considered independent subjects of criminal liability. Between 1961 and 1990, their procedural status incrementally improved, though they still lacked recognition as fully accountable parties. Following independence in 1991 and the shift to a market economy (1991–2000), the significance of legal entities grew, despite ongoing challenges in their legal integration. From 2000 to 2016, new Criminal Procedure Codes clarified the procedural roles of legal entities, but unresolved issues persisted concerning their legal protection. The introduction of Chapter LVI-I in 2016 marked a crucial turning point by officially recognizing legal entities as subjects of criminal liability, thereby enhancing the system’s effectiveness. However, the article emphasizes that further reforms are essential to fully guarantee their rights and obligations within the criminal process. Keywords: criminal procedural role of a legal entity, legal entity in the Azerbaijani criminal process, legal entity in the criminal process, injured party, civil plaintiff, civil defendant.