• E4J University Module Series: Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

• Module 14: Independence of the Judiciary and the Role of Prosecutors

• Introduction and learning outcomes

• Key issues

  • Topic 1.  Judicial independence
  • • General issues. Judicial independence as a fundamental value of the rule of law and of constitutionalism
    • The main factors aimed at securing judicial independence
  • Topic 2.  The role of public prosecutors
  • • General issues. Public prosecutors as the 'gate keepers' of criminal justice.
    • The institutional and functional role of prosecutors: different models and practices:
    • Other factors affecting the role of prosecutors: appointment, tenure and conduct.
  • References

• Exercises

• Possible class structure

• Core reading

• Advanced reading

• Student assessment

• Additional teaching tools

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• First published in February 2020
  

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This module is a resource for lecturers

Advanced reading

The following readings are recommended for students interested in exploring the topics of this Module in more detail, and for lecturers teaching the Module:

• Bell, John (2006). Judiciaries within Europe: A Comparative Review . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law (2015). The Appointment, Tenure and Removal of Judges under Commonwealth Principles. A Compendium and Analysis of Best Practice. London: Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law.
• Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law (2016). Cape Town Principles on the Role of Independent Commission in the Selection and Appointment of Judges. London: Bingham Centre.
• Canivet, Guy, Andenas, Mads, Fairgrieve, Duncan (2006). Independence, Accountability, and the Judiciary. London: British Institute of International and Comparative Law.
• Cappelletti, Mauro (1989). The Judicial Process in Comparative Perspective. Oxford:Clarendon Press.
• Commonwealth Secretariat (2003). Latimer House Principles. London: Commonwealth Secretariat.
• Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association (2002). Limassol Conclusions on Combating Corruption within the Judiciary. London: CMJA.
• Council of Europe (1998). The European Charter on the Statute for Judges. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
• Council of Europe (2010). Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on judges: independence, efficiency and responsibilities. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
• Council of Europe (2000). Recommendation CM/Rec (2000)19 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the role of public prosecution in the criminal justice system. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
• Coman, Ramona and Dallara Cristina, eds. (2010). Handbook on Judicial Politics. Romania: Editura Institutal European lasi.
• Contini, Francesco and Mohr, Rick (2007). Reconciling independence and accountability in judicial systems. Utrecht Law Review, vol. III, No. 2, 26-43.
• Damaska, Mirjan R. (1986). The Faces of Justice and State Authority. New Haven: Yale University Press.
• Di Federico, Giuseppe, ed. (2005). Recruitment, Professional Evaluation and Career of Judges and Prosecutors in Europe: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and Spain. Turin: Lo Scarabeo.
• Friedman, Lawrence M (1985). Total Justice . New York: Russell Sage Foundation.
• Merryman, John H. and Pérez-Perdomo, Rogelio (2007). The Civil Law Tradition. Stanford: Stanford University Press.
• International Association of Prosecutors (1999). Standards of professional responsibility and Statement of the essential duties and rights of prosecutors. Vienna: IAP.
• Open Society Institute (2001). Monitoring the EU Accession Process: Judicial Independence. Budapest: Open Society Institute Press.
• Open Society Institute (2008). Promoting prosecutorial accountability, independence and effectiveness. Budapest: Open Society Institute Press.
• Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) (2010). Kyiv Recommendations on Judicial Independence in Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia: Judicial Administration, Selection and Accountability. Vienna: OSCE.
• Russell, Peter H. and O'Brien David M. (2001). Judicial Independence in the Age of Democracy. Virgina: University Press of Virginia.
• Seibert-Fohr, Anja (2012). Judicial Independence in Transition. Heidelberg: Springer.
• Shapiro, Martin (1981). Courts: A Political and Comparative Analysis. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
• Stone Sweet, Alec (2000). Governing with Judges: Constitutional Politics in Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Tate, Neal and Vallinder, Torbjorn (1995). The Global Expansion of Judicial Power. New York: New York University Press.
• Tak, P. J. P (2004). Tasks and Powers of the Prosecution Services in the EU Member States. Tilburg: Wolf Legal Publications.
• United Nations Economic and Social Council (1989). Procedures for the effective implementation of the Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary , ECOSOC Resolution 1989/60. New York: UN.
• United Nations (1990). Guidelines on the Role of Prosecutors , GA Resolution 45/166. New York: UN.
• United Nations (2012). Declaration of the High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Rule of Law at the National and International Levels , A/RES/67/1. New York: UN.
• Vanberg, Georg (2008). Establishing and Maintaining Judicial Independence. In: K. E. Whittington, R. D. Kelemen and G. A. Caldeira, eds. The Oxford Handbook of Law and Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Voermans, Wim and Pim, Albers (2003). Councils for the Judiciary in EU Countries. Strasbourg: European Network of Councils for the Judiciary.

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