Judicial Selection
When deciding how to select judges, governments consider a number of factors. Some prioritize high performance on a competitive examination. Some look for pragmatic knowledge and administrative competence above all else, while others seek candidates who have had ....
Judicial Education
Judges are expected to be knowledgeable about the law, familiarize themselves with court procedure, and comport themselves in a professional and respectful manner. Canons of judicial conduct codify these expectations, and judicial institutes prepare judges to meet them...
Judicial Conduct & Discipline
Most judicial systems around the world have adopted codes of conduct or equivalent rules to guide judicial officers on a range of issues. Although there are different models for enforcing norms of judicial behavior, there is global consensus that judicial integrity requires the highest ethical standards....
Judicial Tenure
Almost every country limits the tenure of judges, imposing either a mandatory retirement age or a term of years. Most countries have different tenure provisions for each level of court. Supreme court justices may be appointed for a term of years, have a mandatory retirement age...
Judicial Performance Evaluations
Accountability—of government institutions and officials—is an integral component of the rule of law. One tool used to promote judicial branch accountability is judicial performance evaluation. Assessing judicial “quality” is a complex and sensitive undertaking. Those critical of efforts to evaluate....
Judicial Attire
In courthouses around the world, judicial attire communicates professionalism and institutional integrity. Judicial garments also reflect a nation’s history and values. Whether a robe and wig or a modest suit, the judge’s vestments are more than simply clothes.
Use of Foreign Judges
Foreign judges have been “imported” throughout history, dating back to Ancient Greece when independent city-states brought in judges from other regions to settle disputes in medieval Italy. Foreign judges continue to be used in approximately 50 jurisdictions throughout the world.