The provisions in the United States to promote judicial independence on the one hand and to promote democratic control of the judiciary on the other may be arrayed on a continuum. This paper describes the mechanisms employed in the United States to protect and balance independence and accountability.
Judicial Independence Talking Points (FJC History Office)
A link to the FJC website with talking points on (1) Constitutional Origins of the Federal Judiciary; (2) Judicial Independence; and (3) Establishing a Federal Judiciary.
| USAID Office of Democracy and Governance: Guidance for Promoting Judicial Independence and Impartiality (PDF) This guide, from the USAID website, that seeks to promote understanding of the issues surrounding judicial independence and assist USAID and other donors, in collaboration with their local counterparts, to design and implement programs that effectively strengthen judicial independence. American Bar Association Standing Committee on Judicial Independence Standing Committee on Judicial Independence serves as the ABA's clearinghouse for information and resources designed to protect the independence of the judiciary, improve public understanding of, and confidence in, the judiciary, and promote the importance of an accountable, efficient and effective judicial system. American Judicature Society The American Judicature Society (AJS) works to maintain the independence and integrity of the courts and increase public understanding of the justice system. It is a nonpartisan organization with a national membership of judges, lawyers and other citizens interested in the administration of justice. _________________________________________________________________________________ International Documents Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Basic principles formulated to assist Member States in their task of securing and promoting the independence of the judiciary to be incorporated and respected within the framework of national legislation and practice. These principles were adopted by the Seventh United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders and were endorsed by General Assembly in 1985.
Beijing Statement of Principles of the Independence of the Judiciary in the LAWASIA Region Drafted in 1997 -- and eventually signed by more than 32 Chief Justices within the Asia/Pacific region -- this statement of principles represents an attempt by signatories to set aside differences in legal traditions in order to articulate the minimum standards believed necessary to maintain independent and effective judiciaries. ICJ Practitioner's Guide Produced by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), this Practitioner's Guide offers practical insight on the international principles governing the independence and accountability of judges, lawyers, and prosecutors. It also presents the most relevant and current international standards on the topic. |