...Introduction Judicial independence, although often argued to be a fundamental concept to the rule of law, democracy and political stability, alarmingly continues to be contested and vague even in economically developed liberal democratic states recognized for the rule of law. This was particularly indicated by leading US constitutional scholar ‘name’, ‘there is a disagreement about whether or how to criticize judges and their decisions, and about whether or how to discipline judges. And, of course, there is pervasive disagreement about whether our judges exhibit too much or too little independence.’ The problems are exaggerated in cases of developing countries with unstable democracies and non-liberal authoritarian regimes. The key objective of this essay is to subject judicial independence and the statements presented on its behalf to critical examination. China is of use when analysing general ideas as it signifies a challenge to the universal understanding about what judicial independence is and why it is important. Although China ‘has never had independent courts’, the country continues to be an effective single-party socialist authoritarian regime, becoming a likely model for other developing states. Judicial Corruption in China It is certainly reasonable to say that judicial independence is an acknowledged theory in the Chinese Constitution. The original 1954 Constitution declared the need for the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) to judge cases independently. In the...
Words: 3903 - Pages: 16
...Judicial independence is the linchpin of our modern court system, because without protection against retribution for appropriate but unpopular decisions, the judges are no more than pawns in a larger political game. Second guessing a judge’s verdict for the sole purpose of replacing that judge with one from his rival political party is a travesty to our system of government. This being said, there should be accountability for judges who flagrantly violate the laws they are sworn to uphold. There is sometimes a fine line between an unpopular decision and one that is inappropriate or potentially violates the law, therefore a judge who passes judgement solely to further his or his parties political agenda or personal beliefs has no purpose presiding over a court....
Words: 290 - Pages: 2
...Constitutionalism has a different meanings and one of them is that ; Constitutionalism refers to a system of government based on a constitution, a government which demonstrates adherence to the principles of the constitution. Constitutionalism can also be defined as a modern concept that desires a political order governed by laws and regulations. Within the concept of constitutionalism is the idea of limited, open, transparent and accountable government which must truly represent the will of the people and not simply smoke-screen the will of the people. Mwansa (2013:10),explains that it is a complex ideas, attitudes and patterns of behavior elaborating the principle that the authority of government derives from and is limited by a body of fundamental law. Constitutionalism is there to tame wayward governments that see no limits to their powers or simply ignore such limits in the guise of pursuing a common or greater good. In a state that recognizes the importance of constitutionalism, the leaders are bound to observe both limitations of power and the procedures which are set out in the supreme constitutional law of the community. Constitutionalism ensures that governmental powers are limited beyond theory, and in practice. Constitutionalism goes beyond a good constitution and beyond constitutionality of governmental action or a country’s laws.Constitutionalism is a concept associated with the political theories of John Loce and the founders of the American republic and equated...
Words: 1606 - Pages: 7
...product of the revolutionary war of independence, with it’s foundations strongly influenced by the works of political theorists such as Montesquieu and Locke. The Founding Fathers favoured a government that prevented any individual or particular group becoming tyrannical. Furthermore, they strongly opposed the notion of excessive government power, seen as the potential threat to individual freedom, wanting to protect minorities as well as the population as a whole, from arbitrary or unjust rule. Consequently, the Founding Fathers outlined main provisions within the US constitution in order to avoid tyranny: the separation of powers, a federal structure of government and also providing citizens inalienable and entrenched rights through the implementation of the Bill of Rights. Arguably, these provisions as a result mostly ensure, as the Founding Fathers had hope to achieve, limited government, in so much as the size and scope of the federal government is limited to an extent in which it is necessary only for the common good of people. The separation of powers prevalent in the USA, whereby political power is distributed between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary branches of government, were adopted from the Founding Fathers by the principles of Montesquieu, who argued for a separation of powers into legislative, executive and judiciary branches in order to avoid tyranny. This framework of government implies not only the independence of government, therefore a separation...
Words: 2217 - Pages: 9
...the problems; the general dynamics of domestic violence make the problem difficult for courts to solve. Long-term monitoring of substance abusers and sex offenders may be unworkable or unconstitutional (Chris Woodworth). “While the Purposes and Responsibilities of Courts Core Competency requires knowledge of and reflection upon theoretic concepts, their history and development over time, this competency is practical. The Purposes and Responsibilities Competency gives meaning to, in fact properly grounds, day-to-day judicial administration and the other nine Core Competencies. Absent knowledge of the judiciary’s enduring purposes and continuing responsibilities, court leaders, both judicial and managerial, can lose their way as they and their court drift among seemingly unrelated issues and demands. Purposes and Responsibilities of Courts should never be confused with efficiency or even the constitutional means of the separation of powers, judicial independence, and the inherent powers of the courts. Courts exist to do justice, to guarantee liberty, to enhance social order, to...
Words: 626 - Pages: 3
...Parliamentary sovereignty, once the dominant principle of the UK Constitution, is now under considerable pressure. Discuss this statement with reference to the UK’s membership of the EU, the devolution acts of 1998, the Human Rights Act 1998 and recent judicial comments on the Rule of Law. "Certainly we want to see Europe more united… but it must be in a way which preserves the different traditions, parliamentary powers, and sense of pride in one's own country." Margaret Thatcher Over the course of the years many prominent figures such as politicians and academic writers have been concerned with the diminishing of Parliamentary sovereignty. “Parliamentary sovereignty is a principle of the UK constitution. It makes Parliament the supreme legal authority in the UK, which can create or end any law. Generally, the courts cannot overrule its legislation and no Parliament can pass laws that future Parliaments cannot change. Parliamentary sovereignty is the most important part of the UK constitution.” Historically, due to the lack of a single codified constitution in the UK, the Westminster Parliament is the most powerful and influencing factor on the British political frontier. As opposed to America where the constitution dominates US politics, and legislation can be deemed unconstitutional and revoked by the US judiciary. However, since further integration into Europe incorporating The European Communities Act 1972, The Human Rights Act 1998, European Conventions on Human Rights...
Words: 1911 - Pages: 8
...Constitutional Court envisions a society with law-abiding and God-loving leaders who shall serve the community with prevailing dependability, sincerity, faithfulness, and competency, and whose every action shall be grounded with paramount justice. The SCC further envisions a community of leaders who shall respect the Constitution and would initiate efforts to protect and preserve the Constitution as the basis of the existence of the XU-CSG. About The Supreme Constitutional Court is XU-CSG’s judicial branch. It exercises the judicial powers vested upon it by the 2005 XU-CSG Constitution. Motto “Dura lex sed lex” – The law is harsh but it is the law. Guiding Principle XU-CSG officers including its College Council officers must at all times be accountable to the members, serve them with paramount dependability, honesty, loyalty, and competency, and do all with justice. (Article XII Section 1 of 2005 XU-CSG Constitution) Office StC 207 Canons of Judicial Conduct 1. Independence 2. Integrity 3. Impartiality 4. Propriety 5. Equality 6. Competence and diligence Powers and Responsibilities 1. Responsible for the strict and faithful observance of the CSG Constitution 2. Enhance, support, and sustain the consciousness and involvement of the XU students in the promotion and preservation of the CSG Constitution 3. Hear, try, and resolve any complaints regarding the constitutionality,...
Words: 442 - Pages: 2
...Remedies: Breach of Contract Introduction There are various remedies available to an innocent party where there has been a breach of contract. The main remedy is damages, but in certain situations, equitable remedies are available. 1. Unliquidated Damages Unliquidated damages are assessed by the court and are designed to compensate the innocent party for any losses incurred as a result of a breach of contract. However, where loss can not be proved, the innocent party will only be entitled to claim nominal damages. In the case of Surrey CC v Bredero Homes (1993), damages were not awarded defendant who had failed to comply with planning permission because the council had not suffered any loss. This can be contrasted with the case of Chaplin v Hicks (1911) where the court awarded damages to the claimant for the loss of a chance to win a competition. Unliquidated damages are not a means by which to punish the defendant and punitive damages will not be awarded for a breach of contract. They are also not a way to recover any gain made by the defendant as a result of a breach. Loss includes any harm or damage to the claimant themselves or any of their property, including any reduction of value of such property caused by the breach of contract. However, in calculating the loss and awarding damages, if the claimant has obtained any benefit from the breach the court will not usually allow the claimant to be put in a better position than they would have been had the breach not occurred...
Words: 1634 - Pages: 7
...Court and Judicial Review Should the Supreme Court's power of judicial review be strictly limited by a constitutional amendment? Yes, the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review should be strictly limited to the constitution; because their judicial power is in all cases, in law and equity, arising under the constitution. Meaning they are over stepping their initial jurisdiction and have been given the power to have judicial reviews, even though it’s unconstitutional. The only power the Supreme Court is supposed to have is; all cases affecting ambassadors, or the public ministers and consuls, and those in which a state shall be party in the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction as stated in article III section 2 of the constitution. The Supreme Court is supposed to be the weakest of the three branches of government. The legislative, and executive branches are supposed to control the judiciary branch, even the states are supposed to have more say than the court. But they have been made more powerful and they are telling the legislative and executive branches what to do. There is no such system of checks and balances any more that protect the states and people when most government branches, are acting in cohorts with one another, eroding and destroying the rights and powers of the states and we the people. Even if the system was working right; who is watching and how will they stop the court from being unconstitutional? Every time the court holds judicial review it commits...
Words: 610 - Pages: 3
...Entorno Político y Social Ensayo: Kenia Carlos Vidales Barbedillo – Grupo B Antecedentes: Oficialmente República de Kenia, es un país del este africano, que tiene fronteras con distintos países como Etiopía al norte, Somalia al este, Tanzania al sur, Uganda al oeste y Sudán del Sur al noroeste. Cuenta con litorales en el océano Índico en su costa sureste y el lago Victoria situado al suroeste. Su capital es Nairobi y tiene alrededor de 3 millones de habitantes. Kenia se divide geográficamente en varias áreas con un demografía muy variable. Existen distintas zonas como sabanas, áridas y semi-áridas, además de un gran litoral con el Océano Índico. Las regiones centrales y el occidente tienen bosques y montañas mientras que las regiones del norte son más áridas. La capital de Kenia, Nairobi, ciudad de gran importancia comercial en África. La economía de Kenia es la de mayor producto interior bruto de la región Este y Central de África. La religión principal es la Protestante (45%) y le siguen la católica (33%), creencias tradicionales indígenas (10%), musulmanes (10%) y otras (2%). El país está separado por varios grupos étnicos cómo los Kikuyu (22%), Luhya (14%), Luo (13%), Kalenjin (12%), Kamba (11%), Kisii (6%), Meru (6%), otros grupos africanos (15%), no africanos (1%). Su PIB es de $66.03 mil millones de dólares mientras que el PIB per cápita es de tan solo $1,600 USD. La principal fuente de ingreso de Kenia es el turismo (63%) aunque los cultivos representan 30%...
Words: 2292 - Pages: 10
...Noah Messersmith English Comp 101 4/14/14 Persuasive Essay First Draft Did you know that due to mandatory minimum sentencing, the U.S. federal prison populations have almost grown 800 percent in the last three decades? What is mandatory minimum sentencing you ask? Well it is the set sentencing that is given to someone that the judge cannot shorten because it is a set time and they can’t shorten it, even for extenuating circumstances (“What Are Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Laws”). The U.S. Supreme Court should review the mandatory minimum sentences, weigh the positives and the negatives, look at the possible advantages and disadvantages, and then do what they need to do to enforce what they decide. Although many people are for mandatory minimum sentences and think that they are fine and don’t need to be refined and changed, there are many reasons why they should be shortened. One reason is that it will make the prison system is overpopulated and it will make it a safer place for the inmates and for the prison guards. It will make it safer for the inmates because there won’t be as many inmates in there for long periods of time and they don’t have to worry about their safety as much because right now, there are so many inmates that the guards are losing some of their control over them. It will make it safer for the prison guards because they won’t have as many people to look over and they will feel like they have more power and authority because they won’t feel as overwhelmed...
Words: 1131 - Pages: 5
...Tema: LA DEMOCRACIA EN EL PERÙ Capítulo I : La Cultura Democrática Perú ha tenido experimentar en los años 2000 y 2001 su más reciente transición política hacia la democracia. En sentido estricto, una transición constituye un momento parcial y discreto en la transformación política de una sociedad, ella se refiere al conjunto de dialogo, arreglos y compromisos por medio de los cuales un conjunto de agestes que ejercen el poder de manera autoritaria acepta abandonarlo y dar campo libre a la instauración de un poder legítimo y a la restauración de la reglas de juego básicas de la democracia: alternancia en el gobierno, división efectiva de poder, respeto de los derechos fundamentales y vigencias de las garanticas constitucionales , se trata, pues de un proceso de negociación que conduce a un relevo den el poder y la instauración de ciertas reglas por las que dicho poder será ejercido en el futuro. La ciencia política, y en particular esa rama de ella que se ocupa de las transiciones diferencia este proceso de otro posterior en el cual el nuevo régimen conseguirá establecerse como el único juego posible en la vida política del país, la consolidación de la democracia , como se denomina a este segundo momento, constituye un proceso más largo y complejo que se orienta a la implantación de los democrático como el único régimen aliado para administrar el poder y resolver los antagonismos consustanciales toda sociedad libre Los términos transición y consolidación designan...
Words: 4446 - Pages: 18
...sentencing, the courts adopted the law. These longer more harsh sentences have had a positive outcome on the war on drugs. It has helped by getting offenders off the streets and the substances out of the hands of Americans. The criminals that are being sentenced to these long terms deserve the time they are given because they chose to break the U.S. law and came into contact with illegal controlled substances. By giving these mandatory minimum sentences, the criminals are off the streets and away from the pressures of drugs and crime where they used to live, and have the chance to regain a new life through prison rehabilitation. The mandatory minimum sentences are given not only to help punish criminals individually, but also to help the judicial system by way of giving the judges a guideline and a standard to enforce in court. As discussed in "The House I Live In", the start of the1950s brought a large influx in narcotic drug use in the United States. This greatly supplemented the already high drug use in urban America. Although the drug use was centered in a very small majority of the population, it was putting a large burden on society. With this burden, the United States politicians...
Words: 1206 - Pages: 5
...1. El derecho fundamental a la vida, ¿incluye el derecho a decidir sobre el momento y la forma de su terminación? No, el Tribunal Constitucional se ha pronunciado al respecto en su Sentencia 120/1990 de 27 de junio de 1990, indicando que el contenido del derecho a la vida es el de protección positiva, lo que no permite entenderlo como un derecho de libertad que incluya el derecho a decidir la propia muerte. Sin embargo, el Tribunal reconoce que al ser este derecho un bien jurídico que se integra en el ámbito de la libertad personal, la privación de la propia vida (suicidio), o la aceptación de la propia muerte es un acto que la ley no prohíbe, pero en ningún caso se configura como un derecho subjetivo que deba ser apoyado por los poderes públicos para vencer los obstáculos que puedan impedir su consecución, amparado por los artículos 9 y 24.1 de la Constitución. Por tanto, el Tribunal Constitucional entiende que no es posible admitir que la Constitución garantice en su artículo 15 el derecho a la propia muerte, si no que esta decisión constituye una manifestación de libertad genérica. 2. La situación de cumplimiento de condena en establecimiento penitenciario, ¿implica que la Administración del Estado es responsable de la protección de la vida de los reclusos? Si, el hecho de estar recluido en un centro penitenciario desarrolla una serie de derechos y deberes entre el preso y la Administración, tal como expresa la Constitución en su artículo 25.2 y ha ratificado el Tribunal Constitucional...
Words: 1262 - Pages: 6
...y leyes que han logran el resultado esperado. En este ensayo estaremos explicando el sistema judicial de Puerto Rico en términos de estructura, jerarquía y funcionamiento. A su vez lo compararemos con el sistema federal de Estados Unidos. El sistema judicial o poder judicial se define como un poder que tiene el país, en el cual administrar la justicia en la sociedad a través de normas o leyes jurídicas que sean creadas en base a conflictos o situaciones que hayan sucedido. El sistema judicial de Puerto Rico entro en vigor El 25 de julio del 1952, en ese día fue creado lo que hoy conocemos como la constitución del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico. La constitución establece el poder judicial que tendrá Puerto Rico. En ese entonces la Constitución estableció un juez presidente y cuatro jueces asociados pero concedió al propio tribunal el poder de solicitar a la legislatura aumentar o reducir el número de jueces. Este poder que se le otorgo a la legisladora crea conflictos de intereses ya que se puede ver claramente que hoy en día él aumentar y reducir jueces sea a convertido en politiquería más que merito propio. La estructura del sistema judicial de Puerto Rico ha sido modificada en tres ocasiones. La primera estructura fue creada para el año 1952, la segunda fue para el año 1994 y la tercera fue para el 2003. Actualmente vigente la nueva estructura del sistema judicial del año 2003. Esta ley conocida como la “Ley de la Judicatura del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto...
Words: 1065 - Pages: 5
