International Day for Judicial Well-being: A Global Call for Action

Justice Rangajeeva Wimalasena is the President of the Court of Appeal of Nauru and was the convener of the Nauru Declaration Draft Committee. He has also served as a judge in Sri Lanka and Fiji.

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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.

The Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct were introduced a few decades ago in response to the increasing challenges faced by the judiciaries and to further the objectives of Article 11 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption. These principles sought to establish universal standards for judicial conduct, focusing on independence, impartiality, integrity, propriety, equality, and competence and diligence. Later, a commentary was developed to provide further context to these six core principles. Notably, paragraph 194 of the commentary recognized judicial well-being as a critical factor that reinforces diligence and competence in the judicial role. This acknowledgment was a step forward, yet judicial well-being remained a taboo subject within many judicial circles.

Over the last ten years, different jurisdictions such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean have gradually begun addressing judicial stress and other aspects affecting judicial well-being through studies conducted within their judiciaries. These studies uncovered perspectives that had never drawn attention before. For example, in one such study, it was discovered that alcohol consumption within the judiciary of a particular jurisdiction was higher than that of the general population.

In 2021, the Global Judicial Integrity Network conducted a global survey exploring the link between judicial integrity and well-being. The results were striking:

• 69% of respondents believed that discussing mental health or stress remains a taboo topic for judges.
• 83% of participants felt that the level of support available within their judiciary was insufficient.
• 89% of respondents acknowledged knowing judicial colleagues who had experienced stress, sadness, or anxiety.

Over time, studies conducted in various jurisdictions on judicial well-being, judicial conduct and judicial attitudes have revealed eye-opening findings. These figures highlight a systemic issue - one that, if left unaddressed, could have serious consequences on the quality of justice delivered.

Since 2014, I have been advocating for the promotion of a balanced mind for judicial officers. It was not a popular subject to talk about then. On one hand, judicial leaderships feared that openly discussing judicial stress could affect public perception. On the other, individual judges themselves hesitated to speak openly, fearing it might damage their reputation and professional recognition.

Recognizing the urgency of addressing this issue universally, the Nauru Declaration on Judicial Well-being was introduced to create awareness, acknowledge the problem and take concrete steps toward addressing it. Unlike other legal matters that may differently affect common law and civil law jurisdictions, judicial well-being is a universal concern - transcending legal systems, jurisdictions and other differences.

Around 18 senior judicial leaders and experts from across the world, representing all continents, regions and various judicial organizations, came together to draft the Nauru Declaration, which establishes seven core principles aimed at promoting judicial well-being.

This declaration is not just about individual judges - it is a matter of ensuring the delivery of quality justice.

If judicial stress is ignored - if judges are overburdened, work under unconducive conditions or face persistent harassment, bullying, and deprivation of their rights - the consequences extend far beyond the individual. Judicial burnout can lead to compromised decision-making, delays in justice and a weakened judiciary, ultimately affecting society, the economy and overall social sustainability.

To further this cause, the Republic of Nauru submitted a resolution to the United Nations General Assembly calling for the establishment of an International Day for Judicial Well-being. On 4 March 2025, the General Assembly formally adopted the resolution with 71 member states co-sponsoring it to declare 25 July as the International Day for Judicial Well-being - a landmark achievement in the global promotion of judicial well-being. This date was chosen to reflect the adoption of the Nauru Declaration on Judicial Well-being.

As we move forward, it is imperative that judicial institutions, judicial leaderships, policymakers and other stakeholders commit to ensuring that judges receive the support they need. Not only that, as emphasized in the Nauru Declaration, judicial well-being is also a responsibility of individual judges.

The adoption of this resolution serves as a call to action for the global judicial community to embrace and implement strategies that safeguard the well-being of judicial officers. It acknowledges that judicial well-being is essential for upholding integrity, independence and the efficiency of justice systems worldwide.