To the member Associations of the ANAO group
Dear all
On demand of President Conlan, please find here enclosed the draft minutes of the last on-line meeting of the ANAO group, for your comments.
Thank you for your attention!
Best regards
The IAJ General Secretariat
Meeting of the Asian, North American and Oceanian (ANAO) Regional Group of the International Association of Judges (IAJ), held virtually.
ATTENDANCE:
ANAO President, Clayton Conlan
IAJ President, Walter Barone
IAJ Secretary-General, Giacomo Oberto
Australia: Daniel O’Connor
Bermuda: Juan Wolffe, Tyron Chin
Canada: Lukasz Granosik, Denis Jacques, Louise Mailhot, Michele Monast, William H. Goodridge, Robert Blair
Mongolia: Tsogt Tsend, Nyamsuren Gochoo.
Philippines: Lynnette Deloria Manarang
Puerto Rico: Elsie Ochoa
Rep. of China (Taiwan): Grace Lin
United States of America: Leo M. Gordon, Michelle Childs, Cynthia Rufe
INTRODUCTION
President Conlan welcomed all delegates, with special welcome to returning delegate, Elsie Ochoa of Puerta Rico and, to new delegates. President Conlan also gave regrets on behalf of ANAO’s First VP, M. Margaret McKeown (USA), and a special thank you to ANAO’s Second VP, Grace Lin (Taiwan), for all of her tireless work on behalf of ANAO.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
President Conlan’s motion to approve the Minutes of the October 12, 2025, ANAO Meeting held in Baku, Azerbaijan, was approved unanimously.
EDUCATION PROGRAM
President Conlan reconstituted the Education Committee appointing William Goodridge (Chair), Cynthia Rufe and Tsogt Tsend, and advised that today’s topic, as chosen at the last ANAO meeting held in Baku, is “The Judicial Role and Civic Education – What Can We Do”. The panel for this program is composed of the Education Committee members and Daniel O’Connor. Highlights of panel presentations include:
William Goodridge – trends measured on the Rule of Law Index conducted by the World Justice Forum reveal a decline in the rule of law and erosion of judicial independence for 65% of countries worldwide. ANAO Judges are called to action to do their part, through civic education, to reverse these trends. In Canada examples of adult-focused civic education information can be found on the Canadian Judicial Council website Home Page | Canadian Judicial Council and the Canadian Superior Court Judges Association (CSCJA) website The Canadian Superior Courts Judges Association (CSCJA) – The Canadian Superior Courts Judges Association (CSCJA).
Cynthia Rufe – Examples of civic education initiatives from the USA that have had a positive impact: inclusion of student classes in naturalization ceremonies to create civics education opportunities; middle school essay competitions addressing themes related to constitutional rights and citizens’ role in our society; high school video competitions, addressing the courts role in our society; Judge Chats program where judges visit the National Constitution Center as well as colleges to discuss aspects of the law and the legal system; adult civic education certificate programs presented in community colleges; mock trials, appellate arguments and sentencing hearings for high schools and colleges presided over by Judges.
Tsogt Tsend – Examples of civic education initiatives from Mongolia, Taiwan and Philippines that have had a positive impact: retention by the courts of an “information officer” to interface with the public; use of television, live streaming and social media for civic education; production of public podcasts hosted by known television personality addressing law topics (e.g. criminal law and citizens’ rights); Judicial Film Festival (Taiwan) with judges hosting the post-screening discussions.
Daniel O’Connor – Examples of civic education initiatives from Australia that have had a positive impact: establishing civic education as part of curriculum in high schools; establishment of Media Liaison Committees to interface with journalists; retention of “public information officer” to interface with the public for civic education and to provide plain language explanation contemporaneous with release of important decisions; “Judge for Yourself” interactive online program targeting high schools and community groups that allows participants to craft their own sentence based on the information provided and then compare with the sentence actually imposed; “Open Court Program” with Judges speaking to community groups and service associations on how law is made and how Judges make decisions; “Foundations in Sentencing” workshops led by Judges that focus on explaining the sentencing process for adult and youth offenders; live interviews on radio with the Chief Justice; “Law Day” with Judges making high school visits and presiding over moot courts; “Open Courthouse Days”; Podcasts produced by judges and available on line.
Follow-up Q & A
Lukasz Granosik inquired about allowing cameras into court rooms as a vehicle for enhancing delivery of civic education. Tsogt Tsend was in support noting that this would be an extension of the open-court principle. In Mongolia live video streaming from the court room is mandatory for corruption trials. Daniel O’Connor was generally supportive of cameras in the courtroom but noted that it is left to the discretion of individual Judges in Australia recognizing the concern that cameras can have an adverse impact on some witnesses. Cynthia Rufe was generally supportive, noting that there is a process to get approval for cameras in the courtroom in the USA and the decision is left to discretion of individual Judges. Elsie Ochoa indicated that cameras are permitted in the courtrooms of Puerto Rico, but this has resulted in an increase of social media attacks on Judges – even criticizing a judge’s personal appearance.
JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE DAY
Michelle Monast updated ANAO members on the status of the Canada’s Bill S-291, “An Act to Establish Judicial Independence Day”. The Bill passed second reading in the Senate of Canada on May 5, 2026, and is now before the House of Commons. The hope is that it will be passed into law before year end.
COUNTRY REPORTS
Canada: Report presented by Clayton Conlan.
Court Security – A security working group is preparing guidelines to assist court administrators and the Judges in responding to attacks or threats (including from social media platforms) and what steps are to be taken in the event of a security threat. The guidelines will assist in providing improved security at courthouses and to individual Judges.
Judicial Wellness – This issue was reported at the last meeting in Baku. An increased workload and inadequate resources are contributing to higher levels of stress, forcing many judges to opt for early retirement. The Canadian Judicial Council is also concerned with the issue. To assist in identifying the best response, there was a survey questionnaire completed by all Federally appointed judges. The results from that survey will be available this year and will guide the Canadian Superior Courts Judges Association (CSCJA) on how to address the problem.
Compensation – This issue was reported at the last meeting in Baku. The Quadrennial Commission, a three-person independent commission in Canada that is mandated to make recommendations on the salaries and benefits of federally appointed Judges, filed its report in November 2025. The Federal Government rejected the Commission’s recommendation of a modest salary increase. There has been annual cost of living adjustments to judicial salaries but no other adjustment for the past 20 years. The CSCJA has filed an application for judicial review, which is the mechanism for a court challenge to the Federal Government’s rejection of the Commission’s recommendation.
Civic education - the CSCJA recently participated in the organization and delivery of a unique civic education program entitled, Democracy Conference. There were 200 participants from various backgrounds including Judges, lawyers, court administrators, members of the media and public educators.'
United States of America: Report presented by Leo Gordon.
The Federal Judges Association (FJA) Quadrennial Conference was held in Washington, D.C. September 2025. The educational program addressed health and wellness, judicial and courthouse security, and compensation.
The FJA has established a special committee to draft guidelines on the appropriate response whenever there is a threat or attack on a judge.
Taiwan: Report presented by Grace Lin.
There is pending legislation to lower the age of criminal responsibility in Taiwan from 14 years to 12 years. The change is necessary because of the higher incidence of gang violence by youth under the age of 14 years.
Australia: Report presented by Daniel O’Connor.
Tax Changes – The Australian Judicial Officers’ Association (AJOA) has been successful in its lobbying effort to have the Commonwealth Government carve out judicial pensions from the effect of the “super tax” that was having an unfair negative financial impact on retired Federal Judges, effectively increasing the tax rate on superannuation.
Magistrate to Judges – This was initially reported at the last meeting. Following recommendations by the AJOA, the government agreed to enact legislation in New South Wales to change Magistrates to Judges. Other states within Australia are expected to follow suite.
Security - The AJOA President, Justice Steven Moore, has written to all Attorney Generals requesting they consider measures to address threats directed at Judicial officers.
Pacific Islands Judicial Officers’ Association - The AJOA President and Vice-President have been in discussions with the Vice-President of the Pacific Islands Judicial Officers’ Association, Justice Teresa Berrigan (Supreme and National Courts of Papua New Guinea), as to opportunities for collaboration between both organizations.
Mongolian Judges’ Association – the AJOA is joining the lead of other ANAO members and signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the Mongolian Judges’ Association.
Colloquium - AJOA is planning its next colloquium which is set to occur in Brisbane October 9,10 and 11, 2026.
Judicial Independence Standing Committee – this AJOA committee is currently reviewing its policies dealing with public statements by Judges as these policies have not been reviewed since 2017. It is anticipated that the committee will address areas where Judges could have more liberty in speaking out publicly.
Philippines: Report presented by Lynnette Deloria Manarang.
Civic Education – The Association is active in delivery of civic education to the adult population.
Judicial Ethics – A new Code of Judicial Ethics has been approved and is being implemented.
Legislative Changes – legislation has been passed to ensure independent funding for the Judicial Branch of Government, eliminating supervisory role of the Executive Branch.
Judicial Wellness – A Healthline has been created to assist judges in need of counselling or guidance in maintaining judicial wellness.
Mongolia: Report presented by Tsogt Tsend.
Judicial Health and Wellness – The Mongolian Judges’ Association (MJA) is partnering with the Judicial Academy to address this increasing concern. There was Judicial Wellness Educational Program delivered to members of the MJA last year.
Memorandum of Understanding – The MJA is now working with Canada, New Zealand and the United States in an exchange of ideas and best practices under this MOU. Global Affairs Canada is currently sponsoring Katherine O’Brien from the Court of Appeal of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Stephanie Lockheart, Executive Director of the CSCJA in Mongolia to plan two yearlong project between the associations.
Bermuda: Report presented by Juan Wolffe.
Constitutional Amendments – The Bermuda Judges Association (BJA) is involved in efforts to amendment the Constitution to ensure that the Judiciary is recognized as an independent branch of Government. At present the Judges are constitutionally the equivalent of civil servants and controlled by the Executive Branch of Government. An amendment to the constitutional will involve the United Kingdom and is likely to take 10 years. The BJA is exploring the option to have a Memorandum of Understanding in the interim.
Criminal Defence Bar – Efforts continue to recruit new lawyers to the criminal bar. The current low numbers are at a crisis level. There are 20 members of the criminal bar, including prosecutors, which is less than 5% of the total number of licensed lawyers in Bermuda. The lack of members of the criminal bar means that many accused are self-represented.
Sentencing Consistency – The BJA has developed a Sentencing Guideline Committee in the aim of ensuring more consistency among sentences for similar situations and crimes.
IAJ Conference 2028 – Bermuda will likely be in a position to host the IAJ 2028 conference, if arrangements can be made to retain French and Spanish translators for the General Council Meeting.
Puerto Rico: Report presented by Elsie Ochoa.
A breakout association of Puerto Rican judges, known as the “Federation of Judges” attempted to gain membership in the IAJ. That new entity attracted only 2% of Judges and has been unsuccessful in displacing the association that currently holds membership in the IAJ.
The current IAJ membership arrears will be paid in part prior to the October IAJ meeting in Portugal.
Bangladesh Judges’ Association
President Conlan reported that the Bangladesh Judges’ Association has expressed interest in joining the IAJ. Daniel O’Connor was one of the two rapporteurs appointed to investigate the candidacy of the Bangladesh Judges’ Association and present a report to the Presidency Committee of the IAJ. Dan recently resigned in frustration, mostly owing to a failure by the Bangladesh Judges’ Association to reply his attempts at establishing a meeting time and place. Dan is prepared to resume his role as rapporteur if the IAJ can take the lead to confirm a time and place for a formal meeting with the Bangladesh Judges’ Association. Giacomo Oberto agreed to follow up in that regard. Giacomo advised that travel expenses for the rapporteurs cannot be paid by the host country. If the rapporteurs are unable to secure funding for these travel expenses, then the IAJ will consider providing financial assistance. President Conlan indicated that ANAO will consider providing financial assistance to Dan as the ANAO rapporteur. The issue of financial assistance to rapporteurs is an agenda item for discussion at the next Presidency Committee Meeting being held in Rome in June 2026.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
President Conlan tabled the financials for the year to date. There is balance on hand at $18,925.28. The President asked members to write him with any ideas or suggestions about how we can use the available funds to advance the objectives of the IAJ.
PRESIDENCY COMMITTEE
The Presidency Committee recently nominated a Judge from Tunisia, Anas Hmedi, as a candidate for a human rights prize offered by the Counsel for Europe Human Rights Group.
The Presidency Committee is involved in efforts to recruit the South Korea Judges’ Association (SKJA) as a member of IAJ and will send a delegate to the South Korea Judges’ Association conference scheduled for Seoul during December 2026. If SKJA joins IAJ then it will be assigned to the ANAO group.
The Presidency Committee is also involved in efforts to recruit the Indonesian Judges’ Association as a member of IAJ. If it joins, then it too will be assigned to the ANAO group.
The Presidency Committee is making a submission for the special rapporteur for the Report to the United Nations. President Conlan asks delegates to share with him concerns within their countries regarding threats to the rule of law and those concerns can be included in the submission to the special rapporteur.
The Presidency Committee is seeking a member association to host the 2027 IAJ annual meeting. A reduced-scale meeting with more users pay components will be acceptable.
The Presidency Committee is investigating outside funding to assist overall costs for the IAJ’s annual meeting. President Conlan asks delegates to share with him names of organizations that could be approached.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of ANAO will be Friday, October 16, 2026, at Room Paralela D, Portugal Pavillion, during the IAJ meeting in Lisbon.
ADJOURnMENT
The meeting adjourned at 12:30 P.M. (EST).
Dated the 9th day of May 2026.
William H. Goodridge