International Day for Judicial Well-being

Judges cannot decide freely and impartially if they fear disciplinary consequences - especially the risk of dismissal - for their rulings. That is why the structure and functioning of disciplinary bodies are crucial.  Key considerations include: who elects their members; how decisions are made; the clarity and legal basis of disciplinary offences; the rules applied; fair trial guarantees; and the availability of remedies and judicial review. These elements are as vital to judicial independence as tenure security, merit-based appointments by an independent body, adequate remuneration and freedom of expression and association. Importantly, judges should not face disciplinary action for their legal interpretations, factual assessments or evidentiary evaluations – except in cases of malice and gross negligence. This principle also applies to civil and criminal liability of judges. Disciplinary proceedings should only occur when judges fail to perform their duties properly and efficie...

The Global Judicial Integrity Network  on "Implementing Artificial Intelligence Projects in Judiciaries." Special Guests: Chief Justice Salikaand Ms. Alison Holt of Papua New Guinea.

In light of ongoing international efforts to promote the well-being of members of the judiciary, the Austrian Federal Administrative Court (Bundesverwaltungsgericht - BVwG) has established an initiative entitled Intervision , developed and implemented by judges for judges. This format offers a structured and confidential space for professional exchange and mutual support, complementing existing training programmes and professional development tools. Background and development The first considerations for introducing such a format began in October 2021, within the framework of the Association of Judges at the BVwG. After extensive discussions regarding scope, structure and feasibility - including questions of size, frequency, duration and available resources - the concept of Intervision gradually took shape. The aim was to create an accessible, low-threshold forum open to all judges of the court , regardless of their membership in the association. Intervision is understood as a form o...

One year after the historic adoption of the Nauru Declaration on Judicial Well-being , the global judicial community will commemorate the first International Day for Judicial Well-being on 25 July . This marks the first time that the United Nations has formally recognized judicial well-being as a matter of global significance, through the proclamation of an international day. Fittingly, 25 July was chosen to mark the International Day for Judicial Well-being as it coincides with the adoption of the Nauru Declaration , reaffirming its central role in elevating judicial well-being to the forefront of international discourse. These initiatives underscore a vital truth: judges, too, as human beings, are vulnerable to the profound and unique stresses inherent in their role. Although judicial well-being has gained unprecedented momentum over the past year since the adoption of the Nauru Declaration, both as an institutional priority and as an indispensable element of individual judicial cap...