SOC 3730 Chapter 4: SOC 3730 - Chapter 4 (Greene)

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 3730
• Professor: Michelle Dumas

Document Summary

Test of judicial independence: degree to which judges feel they can decide impartially without the influence from outside the courtroom. Illicit attempts may be direct as bribes, threats to judge safety or call from cabinet minister on behalf of constituent. They may be indirect such as salary reductions or erosion of working conditions, exploitation of administrative arrangements. Development of ji in england & significant events. Was along with the struggle of the rule of law. Locke indicated that indifferent judges should settle disputes about the application of law so that there would be no variations. Previous judicial appointments meant that the monarch could remove anyone with whose decision she did not agree with. However, good behavior meant that judges could only be removed only by joint address in the parliament. Separation of powers involved judicial and other gov. branches, preserving liberty along with the fact that this enabled each act to check on potential abuses of power.