Safeguarding judicial integrity in the age of social media and artificial intelligence: A perspective from Belize

Honourable Mme. Louise Esther Blenman is the Chief Justice of the Senior Courts of Belize and the President of the Judicial Education Institute of the Senior Courts of Belize.

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Proper judicial ethics are critical for the maintenance of the rule of law and strengthening the administration of justice. “Integrity is essential to the proper discharge of the judicial office.” These words, embedded in the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct, underscore the importance of integrity as a cornerstone of judicial functions. However, the rapid emergence of social media and artificial intelligence have profoundly challenged long-held assumptions that the judicial office stands apart from technological transformations. These developments are compelling judiciaries worldwide to reassess and redefine “the proper discharge of the judicial office”.

Under my leadership, the judiciary of Belize has implemented three major initiatives to safeguard the credibility of our courts while embracing technological transformation. These are: the revised Senior Courts of Belize Code of Judicial Conduct and Etiquette (“Code of Judicial Conduct and Etiquette”) and Belize Senior Courts and Magistracy Social Media Policy for Judicial Officers (“Social Media Policy”), both effected on 2 December 2024, as well as, Practice Direction No. 18 of 2025 on the Ethical Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Court Proceedings (“Practice Direction on AI”), issued on 12 August 2025.

The original Code of Judicial Conduct and Etiquette was promulgated in April 2005. The revised 2024 version reaffirms core values, including integrity, impartiality and judicial independence, while acknowledging modern challenges and offering solutions. It emphasizes that judicial conduct, both inside and outside the courtroom, must foster public trust and confidence. While the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct provide a global compass, our revised Code modernizes and contextualizes these standards for Belize, ensuring that judicial officers are guided by principles aligned with both contemporary local realities and international best practices.

Recognizing that social media is now an inseparable part of daily life, we developed a specific policy to help judicial officers guard against ethical pitfalls. Our Social Media Policy is the first of its kind in Belize. It indicates acceptable use, highlights risks of perceived bias or impropriety and provides guidance on safeguarding the judiciary’s reputation in the digital public sphere. It underscores that while judges do not forfeit their right to personal expression, our responsibilities demand caution and restraint in online spaces where boundaries are often blurred.

The Practice Direction on Artificial Intelligence represents another significant and strategic development. While acknowledging AI’s potential to assist in legal research, case management, and even drafting, the Practice Direction sets ethical parameters for its use. It warns against overreliance, emphasizes the necessity of human judicial oversight and requires transparency when AI tools are used in submissions to the court. This measure reflects our determination to harness innovation responsibly, ensuring that justice remains a human-centred enterprise.

To support the implementation of these measures, the judiciary has conducted training sessions through our Judicial Education Institute. Most recently, the Judicial Education Institute (JEI) of the Senior Courts of Belize, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), hosted a Judicial Ethics Training Workshop for judges, magistrates, registrars and judicial assistants. With the recent framework developments, Belize has positioned itself among the pioneering jurisdictions that have directly addressed these sensitive and evolving issues.

Conclusion

As technology continues to reshape the administration of justice, the ethical compass of judiciaries must remain steadfast, but not static, evolving to respond to societal and technological changes. By developing tailored policies on social media and AI, and revising the Code of Judicial Conduct and Etiquette, Belize’s judiciary has shown that judicial integrity can be preserved through forward-looking, practical solutions. In charting this path, we remain cognizant of the need for judiciaries to respond to the challenges of the digital age with clarity, courage and commitment to the enduring values of justice.