Judicial Independence and Responsibilities

Lord Judge considered both the vital role of judicial independence in a democratic society – and the need for constant vigilance to protect it.

“Judges know that sometimes their decisions will be greeted with derision and the most intense public hostility. Why should we pretend that that does not create pressure on the judge? It does. The judge’s responsibility is to be impervious to it. Because if he allows his decision to be influenced by the possible consequences to him, or even to his family, he is allowing himself to be corrupted. That corruption has nothing to do with money. His judgment is flawed. Justice is tarnished.”