A/HRC/35/31 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Contents Page I. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3 II. Perspectives on the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers ........................................................................................................................ 3 A. Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers ................. 4 1. Origins of the mandate and commitment of the international community ................... 4 2. Role of the Special Rapporteur and methods of work .................................................. 4 3. Rule of law, separation of powers and the independence of justice ............................. 5 4. Towards an agenda for implementation ....................................................................... 5 Overview of the thematic work accomplished since the establishment of the mandate ....... 6 1. Judicial independence................................................................................................... 6 2. Judicial ethics, corruption within the judiciary and judicial accountability ................. 8 3. Independence of lawyers and the legal profession ....................................................... 9 4. Special circumstances giving rise to violations of the independence of judges and lawyers and the proper administration of justice ................................................... 9 5. Equality before the courts ............................................................................................. 10 6. Access to justice and legal aid ...................................................................................... 11 7. Education, training and capacity-building of judges, lawyers and prosecutors ............ 11 Specific issues of concern ..................................................................................................... 12 1. Guaranteeing judicial independence ............................................................................. 12 2. Corruption, judicial accountability and the independence of the justice system .......... 13 3. Protecting the legal profession ..................................................................................... 14 4. Restrictions to the right to a fair trial and due process of law before an independent, impartial and competent tribunal ........................................................ 15 Conclusions and recommendations ............................................................................................... 17 A. Conclusions .......................................................................................................................... 17 B. Recommendations................................................................................................................. 19 B. C. III. 2