Judicial independence and impartiality
The 2nd report of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe (2015) identified the lack of judicial independence in many countries of Europe as one of the biggest challenges to democratic society today. Standards of impartiality and independence were found not to be sufficiently guaranteed.
Therefore the Council of Europe developed a Plan of Action on “Strengthening judicial independence and impartiality” to support member states in implementing such measures.
The Plan of Action was based, inter alia, on a report on the review of the follow-up action by Council of Europe member states to Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 on judges: independence, efficiency and responsibilities of 17 November 2010 which was prepared by CDCJ.
This Council of Europe Plan of Action was adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 13 April 2016.
CDCJ took note of this Plan of Action and of the High-Level Conference of Ministers of Justice and Representatives of the Judiciary (Sofia, Bulgaria, 21-22 April 2016) at which the Plan of Action was launched. The objectives of the Plan of Action are integrated into the CDCJ's programme of activities.
A report assessing the progress in implementing the Sofia Action Plan was adopted by the CDCJ and published in 2022. The CDCJ will continue to follow up on the actions set out in the Action Plan.
- Detailed workplan of the first thematic review by the CDCJ focused on the career and training of judges (adopted by the CDCJ at its 101st plenary meeting, 15-17 November 2023)
- Possible follow-up to the Plan of Action on Strengthening Judicial Independence and Impartiality - CDCJ Bureau proposal examined by the CDCJ at its 99th plenary meeting on 23-25 November 2022
- Review of the implementation of the Council of Europe Plan of Action on Strengthening Judicial Independence and Impartiality (November 2022)
- Report on the follow-up action by member states to Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 on judges: independence, efficiency and responsibilities (13 March 2017)
- Proceedings of the high-level Conference of Ministers of Justice on “Strengthening Judicial Independence and Impartiality as a Pre-condition for the Rule of Law in Council of Europe Member States” (April 2016)
Report on the review of the implementation of the Council of Europe Plan of Action on Strengthening Judicial Independence and Impartiality
The European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ) issued its report on the review it carried out with respect to the implementation of the Council of Europe Plan of Action on Strengthening Judicial Independence and Impartiality (“Sofia Action Plan”) by Council of Europe member states. The...
