Judicial Integrity and Judicial Independence: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Abstract

Judicial integrity is a pre-condition to maintaining trust in the judiciary. It is important to safeguard judicial independence, and manage the risks associated with dysfunctions within the court system and within the body of judges. The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO)-the Council of Europe anti-corruption body-devoted its 4th Evaluation Round, in part, to the prevention of corruption in the judiciary. It highlighted the shortcomings in its member states related to judicial integrity and made country-specific recommendations for improvements. Fully implementing this body of recommendations is essential to maintaining judicial independence and securing judicial integrity-both sides of the same coin.