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What Is Meant By Independence Of The Judiciary

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So what is meant by independence of the judiciary? True independence depends on freedom from improper influences. Improper influences might stem from sources external to the judiciary, such as, another branch of government, or from powerful interest groups within society, or from “public opinion”, perhaps as articulated in the media. A stable society needs legal and institutional measures to ensure that judges individually are, and the judiciary collectively is, independent from such external forces.
In addition, there may be improper internal influences on judges. Judges must also be afforded independence from their judicial colleagues, so that it is the judge sitting on a case, who has heard the evidence and arguments, who makes the decision on the basis of an application of the law to the evidence and arguments presented. …show more content…

Most Australians would consider our judiciary to be immune from serious threats to their independence. In most part this is true; however, we should not ignore subtle, yet equally undermining, influences which threaten judicial independence. The most recent examples of potential threats to the judicial independence of Australian judges should not be taken lightly.
Attorneys-General are consistently refusing to defend the judiciary from (at times) ill-informed and inappropriate public criticism. This has left judges in a precarious position: remain silent in the face of such criticism with the attendant risk of a loss in confidence, or be drawn into the public debate with the attendant risk of allegations of bias, pre-judgment or improperly entering the political domain. A classic case of ‘damned if you do and damned if you

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