The Presidency Committee of the IAJ has issued a statement on measures recently adopted against judges and officials of the International Criminal Court.

From time to time, the IAJ must speak out against potential threats to the independence of the judiciary, wherever and however they may occur. The current situation in Sri Lanka provides one such opportunity.

“The Role of Judicial Associations”

International Conference organised by the International Association of Judges (IAJ) in cooperation with the “Associação Sindical dos Juízes Portugueses”

Lisbon, 18th October, 2026

This article contains the link for Justice Clayton Conlan’s appearance at the Canada Senate Committee hearing on Monday 8: Bill S-219: Judicial Independence Day Act.

This week, we received a timely reminder of the importance of judicial independence with an IAJ drafted article on the situation of justice in Latin America and Tunisia. This article is based on the resolutions adopted by the IBA group and the IAJ, drafted by our French colleague, Natacha Aubeneau. JANZ strongly supports the individual and collective independence of judges at home and abroad.

Meeting of the Asian, North American and Oceanian (ANAO) Regional Group of the International Association of Judges (IAJ), held virtually.

Report prepared by ANAO President, Clayton Conlan, for the IAJ Presidency Committee meeting due to be held in Rome, Italy in June 2026

The IAJ First Study Commission is collecting national responses with the objective, through a comparative analysis of national experiences, to identify certain shared conditions of balance. The research aims to find criteria that allow judicial communication to avoid becoming either imposed silence or an improper politicisation of the judicial function. We would appreciate your view.

It is my honour to formally inform you that the International Association of Judges (IAJ) has been nominated for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.

In view of the next IAJ annual meeting in Lisbon, Portugal, which will be held from 15 to 21 October 2026, please find here enclosed the invitation letter, in English and French, together with the programme.

The edition 2025 of HCCH a|Bridged will be hosted online on 20 November 2025, from 10.15 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. (CET).

It will feature a keynote speech by the Hon David Goddard KC, two panels exploring the benefits of the 2019 Judgments Convention, and messages from international and regional stakeholders. 

Interested persons are invited to register by Friday 14 November 2025, 5.00 p.m. (CET).

In this section, we have curated direct access to the latest IAJ Study Commission publications.

2024 is proving to be an intensive and pivotal year for the IAJ, with new challenges to judicial independence arising across every region of the world. Our work is more important than ever, and this edition of the IAJ Newsletter provides an in-depth look at the initiatives, discussions, and preparations underway as we approach our landmark Annual Meeting in Cape Town this October.

Anew international initiative titled "Backsliding Democracies – The Role of the Judiciary" has launched to investigate how courts are being impacted by, and contributing to, the erosion of democratic norms around the world.

Please find here enclosed a letter adopted during the most recent meeting of the European Association of Judges (EAJ). This letter was sent to our American colleagues, whose reply is also enclosed.

Please find here enclosed the report, together with other documents, concerning the application for membership of the National Association of Judges of Nigeria in the IAJ, which has been favourably evaluated by the IAJ Presidency Committee.

Please find here enclosed a statement of the Presidency Committee of the IAJ, in English and French, expressing its support to the Federal Judges Association (FJA), regarding the situation occurring to judges in the USA.

On 11 January 2025, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Professor Margaret Satterthwaite, addressed to all Judges of the world a special message, to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the "1000 Robes March" in Warsaw (Poland) and to underly the need to commemorate this day as the "Judicial Independence Day 1000 Robes March".

International Association of Judges (IAJ) members from across the globe convened in Cape Town for the annual IAJ conference, this year hosted in collaboration with the Judicial Officers Association of South Africa (JOASA).