Integrity is among the core values expected of every judiciary and every judge, serving as a key ingredient in the successful fight against corruption. It is through integrity that the judicial system can fulfil its essential functions of safeguarding human rights and the rule of law and ensuring equal treatment for every member of society. Judicial integrity prevents judicial corruption as the two are incompatible and ensures that cases of corruption are resolved freely from undue external influence and in a way that effectively removes the negative consequences of corruption on its victims and on society as a whole. Importantly, judicial integrity also makes the judiciary trustworthy, fostering public confidence in its services and decisions.
The United Nations Convention against Corruption addresses the topic of strengthening judicial integrity in article 11, calling on States to “take measures to strengthen integrity and to prevent opportunities for corruption among members of the judiciary.” One such measure explicitly mentioned in the Convention is the adoption of codes of judicial conduct as a collection of principles and values to provide ethical guidance to judges in their everyday life. Article 11, however, can and should give rise to a broader spectrum of implementation measures, including in the areas of judicial appointments and careers, case assignment and management systems, judges’ outside activities, potential conflicts of interest, communication with the public and media and judicial training.
The term "judicial integrity" can therefore be defined as a comprehensive concept referring to the capacity of the judicial system and its individual members to resist corruption, all the while respecting the fundamental values of the judicial office. The Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct, endorsed by the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 2006, are widely regarded as a universally accepted set of core judicial values. These principles include independence, impartiality, personal integrity, propriety, equality, competence and diligence.
In 2018, UNODC launched the Global Judicial Integrity Network, recognizing the importance of creating a space for peer support and knowledge exchange on this crucial subject. The Network acts as an informal platform for judges and judiciaries, aiming to promote experience-sharing, facilitate access to resources and knowledge, and identify and address emerging challenges faced by judges and judiciaries worldwide.
The Global Judicial Integrity Network website is a comprehensive one-stop hub for an array of valuable resources on judicial integrity, providing access to an extensive online library, webinars, opinion pieces, guidelines and tools developed by the Network.
UNODC, Global Judicial Integrity Network, 2022
This report looks into the experiences of judges in maintaining optimal mental and physical well-being as a prerequisite to carry out judicial work with competence, diligence and effectiveness. It also explores possible negative consequences of the lack of well-being and measures implemented by judiciaries to support judges’ well-being.
UNODC, Global Judicial Integrity Network, 2019
This paper examines the ways in which gender-related issues may affect judicial integrity and the adequacy of existing safeguards in promoting appropriate conduct and taking corrective action. It also considers how gender may play a role in court administration and public perceptions of the judiciary.
UNODC, Global Judicial Integrity Network, 2019
This practical document helps judges navigate through the risks and opportunities linked to their personal use of social media, covering areas such as identification, behaviour and content shared, friendships and connections, or privacy and security.
UNODC, Global Judicial Integrity Network, 2018
One of the leading products of the Global Judicial Integrity Network is the package of Judicial Ethics Training Tools, consisting of an e-learning course, a self-directed course, and a trainers’ manual. The training tools are aimed at providing judges with a solid understanding of the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct and the requirements of UNCAC article 11.
UNODC, 2015
This document aims to support states in strengthening judicial integrity in line with article 11 of UNCAC. It not only summarizes relevant international standards and best practices in relation to various key thematic areas, but also provides sets of questions which judiciaries can use to assess to what extent they have addressed the relevant thematic area.
