UNODC ’ s training package for judges
A SENSITIVE AND NECESSARY ENDEAVOUR
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The importance of judicial impartiality and integrity has been at the core of many philosophical treatises on judicature . Five centuries ago , in his Essay LVI : Of Judicature , Francis Bacon had pertinently defined some of the qualities necessary for a judicial vocation : “ Judges ought to be more learned than witty , more reverend than plausible , and more advised than confident . Above all things , integrity is their portion and proper virtue .”
Pursuing such exemplary integrity remains central to every judge ’ s aspirations , and to society ’ s conception of justice . While dedication and hard work are prerequisites , if only to study and understand vast numbers of laws , legal cases and best practices , the learning process and the consolidation of judicial temperament does not end with the appointment of a judge to court . To remain current and fresh , judges are well served by regular revisions and updates to enhance their performance on the job , through a variety of means .
It is the
Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct , endorsed by the United Nations in 2003 , which have been the reference on all judicial matters around the world , setting the standards of judicial integrity , transparency , independence and strength . With judicial standards at risk in some areas of the world , in countries where the independence of the judiciary is under attack , it is all the more important to ensure that the Principles remain the ultimate measure of judicial standards , and that judiciaries are trained to ensure they are protected .
Promoting judicial integrity by supporting those who will themselves train judges and judicial staff in their respective countries , these UNODC resources have been rolled out in 66 training sites . The trainings , and the trainings of trainers , naturally focus on the end goal of strengthening judicial integrity , and they additionally offer great insight on behavioural psychology , learning styles , and group dynamics . They also explore at length the entire cycle to delivering a training , from the role of trainers and facilitators in managing the project , to planning , execution , and post-training evaluation , with copious examples and case studies to support the experience throughout . While such matters and considerations are applicable to trainings in all professional categories , they attain a higher level of sensitivity when judges are in the learning seat . As put by Professor Jeremy Cooper , retired judge and judicial training expert , “ conduct and ethics is a challenging issue , because it invites judges to consider their own practices and habits .”
Indeed , many intricate details need to be considered when dealing with judges , including the potentially intimidating position of having to train a veteran judge on judicial integrity and notions of cognitive biases , the possibility of training judges with different levels of experience , the delicate matter of deciding whether such trainings should be compulsory or elective , or the tricky issue of how to respond to a participant giving a wrong statement , to name but a few . The training advocates the concept of blended learning , through a variety of methods which can apply both to recently qualified judges and to established , senior judges who may need or desire a refresher course . Feedback on UNODC ’ s trainings has been hugely positive , with numerous participating judges expressing a desire to organize trainings in their own judiciaries .
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