Ethical behaviour is central to the public’s perception of the integrity of the justice system whilst embodying the ideals we should strive for and how we should behave. Standards for ethical behaviour vary depending on the social and political context of each country. It is therefore crucial that judges avoid any impropriety – either actual or perceived.
At the same time, the judicial appointments process must be transparent and fair. Procedures are required for investigating complaints about judicial behaviour which do not undermine the independence of judicial decision-making.
This workshop explores the key factors that underpin judicial ethical behaviour. The aim is to describe an ethical framework based on the Bangalore Principles (established in 2001 as a code of judicial conduct that was adopted by the UN) that act as a guide and can assist in regulating judicial behaviour.