Judicial bias must be exposed and reforms to increase courtroom honesty implemented. To ensure a fair adjudication of each and every case, judiciary has to be independent, impartial and act with integrity.
Judiciary and law enforcement
An independent judiciary and clean law enforcement are central to democracy and rule of law.
Strengthening independent judiciaries through higher salaries and better legal protections is an effective way to tackle corruption, holding the corrupt accountable and giving their victims justice. People’s experiences with the judiciary and law enforcement are often very different from this: many face demands for bribes to dismiss a charge, fast-track a case or slow down a trial. Judges can also be bribed, or subject to political pressure and interference from above.
Photo: Sebastian Pichler / unsplash.com
Corruption in the judicial system breaks the basic principle of equality before the law and deprives people of their right to a fair trial. In a corrupt judicial system, money and influence may decide which cases are prioritised or dismissed. Perpetrators may get away unpunished while victims are left with no answer and no justice.
Simple reforms can prevent this. An independent body and public oversight can guarantee that appointments in the judiciary are based on merit rather than favouritism. Judicial personnel should be adequately trained and receive fair salaries and pensions, to make them less vulnerable to bribery. Judges’ personal liability for decisions should be limited and, to protect them from pressure by powerful interests, only credible and transparent investigations should be conducted against them.
Civil society, the private sector, and the media – we all have a vital role to play.
What are we doing about it?
We provide research and evidence
that analyses the systemic failures that compromise the integrity, independence and accountability of the judiciary.
Photo: Jonathan Borba / unsplash.com
We support governments and policy makers
to build a strong, independent and accountable judiciary and law enforcement. Together with our international, regional and national partners, we push for the adoption, monitoring and enforcement of anti-corruption laws and standards.
Photo: You X Ventures / unsplash.com
We encourage and educate practitioners
to stand up for integrity in the judiciary and to demand changes in attitude and practice – because change must come from within the system.
Photo: freestocks / unspash.com
We mobilise citizens
and offer them channels to voice their concerns and hold the judiciary accountable.
Find out more about our work
News
+ More
EU enlargement must prioritise fighting corruption
News •
Corruption in candidate countries threatens those societies and the entire European Union.
Legally sanctioned lying: A moment of truth for the Czech Republic?
News •
A court in Prague struck a blow to civil society in the Czech Republic on Friday, ruling in favour of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš in a libel suit brought by TI Czech Republic.
Will rampant corruption spark an Arab Autumn?
News •
A common factor has underpinned mass protests in Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon over the past two months: outrage over corruption and financial mismanagement by governments.
Publications
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Between anti-corruption reform and decline: Examining key actors, strengths and weaknesses in the Western Balkans and Türkiye’s national integrity systems
Publication •
Assessments in the Western Balkans and Türkiye reveal a complex mixture of slow progress in strengthening integrity systems, along with democratic backsliding that strongly…
Corruption Perceptions Index 2023
Publication •
The Corruption Perceptions Index scores 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, according to experts and business people.
Anti-Corruption Agency Strengthening Initiative: Assessment of the Bhutan Anti-Corruption Commission 2021
Publication •
An evaluation the Anti-Corruption Commission of Bhutan's performance and opportunities for improvement.
Corruption Perceptions Index 2021
Publication •
The Corruption Perceptions Index scores 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, according to experts and business people.
Projects
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Ending impunity for grand corruption in the Western Balkans and Turkey
Project
Assesses and tracks National Integrity Systems—ways to strengthen institutions and anti-corruption policies—in the Western Balkans and Turkey.
CRIMJUST: Strengthening criminal justice along drug trafficking routes
Project
Strengthening criminal justice institutions’ integrity and accountability to fight organized crime and drug trafficking.
Blog
+ More
An insider perspective on tackling corruption strategically
Transparency Int'l
Ghana: Independent oversight urgently needed to increase trust in criminal justice & law enforcement institutions
Michael Boadi
In North Macedonia, public pressure opens a door to combat entrenched corruption
Slagjana Taseva
Vanuatu: Corruption worsening the impacts of COVID-19 and natural disasters
Transparency Int'l
Press releases
+ MoreGuatemala: Attorney general’s reappointment threatens anti-corruption efforts and civic space
Press •
El Salvador: Decisions undermining independence of justice institutions should be revisited
Press •
African Union Summit is an opportunity to make good on anti-corruption convention commitments
Press •
Ukraine must immediately restore corruption prevention system
Press •
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