UNODC Global Judicial Integrity Network News http://www.unodc.org:443/dohadeclaration/en/news/2025/safeguarding-judicial-integrity-in-the-age-of-social-media-and-artificial-intelligence_a-perspective-from-belize.html 2025-10-27T19:06:29Z 2025-10-27T19:06:29Z

<h1 class="western" style="text-align: left;" lang="en-US">Safeguarding judicial integrity in the age of social media and artificial intelligence: A perspective from Belize </h1> <p>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". </p>

2025-10-27T19:06:29Z http://www.unodc.org:443/dohadeclaration/en/news/2025/ai_the-future-that-is-already-here.html 2025-09-16T11:34:28Z 2025-09-16T11:34:28Z

<h1 class="western" style="text-align: left;" lang="en-US"> <strong>AI: the future that is already here <br /></strong> </h1> <p>In her earlier post, Dr. Keri Grieman concluded that artificial intelligence (AI) and the judiciary have an interesting future ahead of them, with some distinct choices to be made. In this post, I will look into some issues and choices that are already here but have been underexposed until now. The most pressing issues are independence and governance.</p> <p>In 2024, a judge in in a European jurisdiction mentioned in their judgment how they had used ChatGPT to determine the remaining lifespan of solar panels. The tech community was elated - the courts are using AI! The legal community, however, was not so amused, as the case raised several issues. More about that later.</p> <p>As a judge, I am always looking for facts and evidence. So, let us start with some facts about the use of AI in courts around the world.</p>

2025-09-16T11:34:28Z http://www.unodc.org:443/dohadeclaration/en/news/2025/intervision-at-the-austrian-federal-administrative-court_-a-peer-based-approach-to-judicial-reflection.html 2025-07-21T10:25:39Z 2025-07-21T10:25:39Z

<h1 class="western" style="text-align: left;" lang="en-US"> <strong>Intervision at the Austrian Federal Administrative Court: A Peer-based approach to judicial reflection</strong> </h1> <p>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 <em>Intervision</em>, 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.</p>

2025-07-21T10:25:39Z http://www.unodc.org:443/dohadeclaration/en/news/2025/one-year-on_-reflecting-on-the-nauru-declaration-and-the-inaugural-international-day-for-judicial-well-being.html 2025-07-21T10:00:00Z 2025-07-21T10:00:00Z

<h1 class="western" style="text-align: left;" lang="en-US"> <strong>One year on: Reflecting on the Nauru Declaration and the inaugural International Day for Judicial Well-being </strong> </h1> <p>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 <a href="https://judicialwellbeing.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Nauru-Declaration-on-Judicial-Well-being.pdf">Nauru Declaration</a>, reaffirming its central role in elevating judicial well-being to the forefront of international discourse. </p>

2025-07-21T10:00:00Z http://www.unodc.org:443/dohadeclaration/en/news/2025/a-european-perspective-on-good-practices-in-judicial-disciplinary-bodies.html 2025-06-27T13:14:25Z 2025-06-27T13:14:25Z

<h1 class="western" style="text-align: left;" lang="en-US"> <strong>A European perspective on good practices in judicial disciplinary bodies </strong> </h1> <p>Disciplinary responsibility of judges is a cornerstone of judicial independence. 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.</p>

2025-06-27T13:14:25Z http://www.unodc.org:443/dohadeclaration/en/news/2025/international-day-for-judicial-well-being_a-global-call-for-action.html 2025-04-01T15:10:45Z 2025-04-01T15:10:45Z

<h1 class="western" style="text-align: left;" lang="en-US"> <strong>International Day for Judicial Well-being: A Global Call for Action</strong> </h1> <p>The success of the due administration of justice relies on the ability of key stakeholders within the justice system to perform at optimal levels. Unlike in the past, judges today face mounting challenges due to rapid advancements in technology, the pervasive influence of social media and the rise of artificial intelligence. In addition to these, judiciaries worldwide continue to grapple with numerous socio-economic, political, religious and context-specific challenges such as natural disasters, conflict situations and financial constraints. Despite these difficulties, judges must maintain their independence, impartiality, integrity and composure in the public eye. However, the toll this takes on them is rarely discussed in many parts of the world.</p>

2025-04-01T15:10:45Z http://www.unodc.org:443/dohadeclaration/en/news/2024/navigating-a-million-obstacles_a-woman-magistrates-commitment-to-integrity-and-disability-inclusion-in-the-judiciary.html 2024-12-04T13:58:53Z 2024-12-04T13:58:53Z

<h1 class="site-heading">Navigating a million obstacles: A woman magistrate's commitment to integrity and disability inclusion in the judiciary </h1> <p class="paragraph">People with disabilities often face significant barriers in society, and the judiciary is no exception. From navigating physical spaces that lack accessible infrastructure to confronting biases about their capabilities, individuals with disabilities encounter many challenges.  </p> <p class="paragraph">Inclusivity is deeply intertwined with judicial integrity, as a transparent and ethical judiciary must reflect the diversity of the society it serves. When the judiciary is inclusive, it affirms the principle that all individuals - regardless of physical abilities - are entitled to equal opportunities and fair treatment within the legal system.  </p>

2024-12-04T13:58:53Z http://www.unodc.org:443/dohadeclaration/en/news/2024/should-11-january-be-designated-as-international-day-of-judicial-independence.html 2024-10-10T14:46:08Z 2024-10-10T14:46:08Z

<h1 class="western" style="text-align: left;" lang="en-US"> <span>Should 11 January be designated as International Day of Judicial Independence?</span> <br /></h1> <p>On 27 March 2023, the International Association of Judges (IAJ) has proposed that the United Nations proclaim 11 January as "International Day of Judicial Independence - 1000 Robes March" to mark the brave and peaceful call of judges for an independent judiciary which all citizens of the world are entitled to. Through that initiative the IAJ underlined that, since 2015, the rule of law in Poland, like in recent years in many parts of the world, has been progressively undermined by other State powers. Successive governments have, under the guise of "reforms", introduced a number of amendments concerning the Polish judicial system in order to exert control over it in a way that facilitate the implementation of its policy agenda. </p>

2024-10-10T14:46:08Z http://www.unodc.org:443/dohadeclaration/en/news/2024/lac-regional-event.html 2024-09-30T16:26:39Z 2024-09-30T16:26:39Z

<h1> <strong>Regional Judicial Integrity Meeting for Latin America and the Caribbean</strong> </h1> <p>From 6 to 8 August 2024, the Regional Judicial Integrity Meeting for Latin America and the Caribbean took place in Brasilia, Brazil, bringing together judiciaries of the region to explore strategies to strengthen judicial integrity across the region and share good practices and experiences.</p> <p>The event was organized by UNODC under the umbrella of the Global Judicial Integrity Network, the National High Court of Brazil (STJ) and the Superior Labour Court of Brazil (TST). The meeting also supported the implementation of roadmaps adopted by three Regional Anti-Corruption Platforms for South America and Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, which identify strengthening judicial integrity as one of the priority areas for the region. </p>

2024-09-30T16:26:39Z http://www.unodc.org:443/dohadeclaration/en/news/2024/lac-regional-event-redirect 2024-09-30T16:06:09Z 2024-09-30T16:06:09Z

<h1> <strong>Regional Judicial Integrity Meeting for Latin America and the Caribbean</strong> </h1> <p>From 6 to 8 August 2024, the Regional Judicial Integrity Meeting for Latin America and the Caribbean took place in Brasilia, Brazil, bringing together judiciaries of the region to explore strategies to strengthen judicial integrity across the region and share good practices and experiences.</p> <p>The event was organized by UNODC under the umbrella of the Global Judicial Integrity Network, the National High Court of Brazil (STJ) and the Superior Labour Court of Brazil (TST). The meeting also supported the implementation of roadmaps adopted by three Regional Anti-Corruption Platforms for South America and Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, which identify strengthening judicial integrity as one of the priority areas for the region.</p>

2024-09-30T16:06:09Z