The Mongolian judiciary is now independent of the other branches of government. Over recent years there has been a considerable increase in the proportion of civil cases involving issues such as contract disputes and bankcruptcy. The 357 judges, however, have all been trained under the socialist system and it can be expected that many will find the new situations they will be called upon to deal with confusing. These has been little training.
Court houses are also poorly equipped, sometimes even lacking court rooms.
The judiciary would therefore benefit from further training in commercial matters and the provision of research and technical facilities. The Constitution of 1992 formalised the separation of powers between the judicial and other branches of government, enshrining the judiciary's independent status. Under the previous system, while it was nominally independent, the judiciary was effectively controlled by the ruling communist party. Judges were appointed by committees of the party, and party membership was an unwritten requirement. The party could put pressure on a judge to decide a case in a particular way, and it was also common for citizens to use their personal contacts with high ranking officials to try to influence judicial decisions.