Doha: President of the Judicial Inspection Authority at the Supreme Judiciary Council (SJC), H E Judge Ahmed Al Mansouri, affirmed that the Judicial Code of Conduct, issued by SJC in the State of Qatar, has reinforced judicial independence, integrity, and impartiality.
He stressed that the code has effectively contributed to the advancement of the judicial system, yielding positive results that have promoted standards of conduct and outstanding performance across the nation’s judiciary.
Speaking during a session within the Conference of the States Parties (CoSP11) to the UN Convention Against Corruption in Doha, Al Mansouri highlighted that this Code represents one of the most powerful practical tools to curb corruption within the judiciary.
Al Mansouri further explained that the strict and rigorous application of the Code, linked to effective oversight and accountability mechanisms, minimises any opportunity for behavioural deviations or the proliferation of improper practices. The Code, he outlined, offers a reference framework enabling judges to act lawfully, regularly self-assess, and ensure adherence to impartiality, dignity, and balance.
Al Mansouri further elaborated that implementing the Code requires mandatory adherence to ethics, practical workshops simulating real-life scenarios, and periodic evaluations of judicial conduct.
These measures, he said, instil in judges the understanding that any violation of the Code constitutes a direct breach of public trust and strikes at the essence of the judicial mandate. The Authority prioritises reducing case backlogs, improving session management, expediting rulings, and enhancing technical efficiency. In essence, it serves to protect judicial independence, prevent misconduct, and reinforce public trust while upholding judges’ autonomy and responsibility in their performance without compromising justice, Al Mansouri elaborated.
Al Mansouri further noted that the primary objective of judicial inspection is to support quality and safeguard confidence, and that reconciling judicial independence with accountability is possible through a set of principles and guarantees.
Secretary-General of The Hague Academy of International Law and Professor at Paris-Nanterre University, Professor Jean-Marc Thouvenin, discussed the Bangalore Principles on Judicial Conduct and their role in combating corruption within the judiciary. He noted that the Bangalore Principles are an amalgamation of global ethical standards developed by judges to strengthen judicial integrity and independence, comprising six core principles: independence, impartiality, integrity, propriety, equality, competence, and diligence.
President of the Court of Appeal of Porto (Portugal), Jose Igreja Matos, lauded the Qatari judiciary’s efforts in recent years, emphasising close collaboration with the UN, particularly the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
