Chairs
Cesar Landa clanda@pucp.edu.pe
Alexei Trochev atrochev@nu.edu.kz

Judicial independence is essential for upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights. However, it currently faces systemic threats within democracies and exists on paper only in non-democracies. This global issue requires our attention to ensure that the promise and perception of judicial fairness and impartiality are fulfilled and strengthened. We invite proposals for papers addressing constitutional matters related to safeguards against improper interference with judicial independence, to the balance between judicial independence and accountability, and anti-corruption mechanisms within the judiciary. Topics may include the erosion of judicial councils and institutions designed to protect legal order, such as constitutional courts and the office of the attorney general, entrenchment of internal judicial independence under the control of the supreme courts, underfunding of the judiciary, inadequate training of judges, judicial self-government and reputation, external pressures from the media and other influential entities, as well as to threats and intimidation against judicial independence from above and below.

a) The responses of national constitutions and laws (legislation and the judicial community itself) to pressure, attacks, and threats to judicial independence.
b) The effectiveness of constitutional guarantees of judicial independence in the protection of human rights.
c) The effectiveness of international treaties and international cooperation in responding to the phenomenon of judicial independence.