U4 Brief

The UNCAC and judicial corruption: Requirements and avenues for reform

CMI authors:
Jessica Leigh Schultz

Thematic research group:
Public Sector Reform

Keywords:
justice, uncac,judicial corruption

Jessica Schultz (2009)

Bergen: Chr. Michelsen Institute (U4 Brief 2009:18) 4 p.

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French version:
La CNUCC et la corruption judiciaire : Conditions et pistes de réforme

Spanish version:
La UNCAC y la corrupción judicial: Requisitos y vías para lograr la reforma

An independent and impartial justice system underpins the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). Where it does not exist, pliant prosecutors, judges, and court staff may ignore criminal acts of corruption or have them improperly dismissed. Biased appointments, promotions, and disciplinary processes mean that justice sector staff may be ill-equipped to handle complex cases, including those involving corruption. The UNCAC’s unique provisions for international cooperation on a wide range of law enforcement matters especially rely on clean, effective judiciaries in the respective states.

Given the centrality of the judiciary for a range of anti-corruption measures required by the UNCAC, ensuring that the judiciary is up to the task should be a primary concern of State Parties to the Convention – as well as their donor partners. The UNCAC itself, in Article 11, includes the requirement to ‘take measures to strengthen integrity and prevent corruption in the judiciary’. This Brief outlines the key requirements of, and considerations for, implementing Article 11.

The UNCAC and judicial corruption: Requirements and avenues for reform

U4 Theme Page: UNCAC
This publication is part of the UNCAC theme pages on the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre.