NCJ Number
164918
Date Published
1996
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Member states of the Council of Europe signed an agreement relating to privileges and immunities to which judges should be entitled during the conduct of their duties.
Abstract
The agreement stipulates that judges should be accorded certain of the same privileges, immunities, exemptions, and facilities that are accorded to diplomatic envoys based on international law. Further, judges should have complete freedom of speech and complete independence in the discharge of their duties. Privileges and immunities should be accorded to judges, not for their personal benefit but rather to safeguard the independent exercise of judicial functions. Other provisions of the agreement concern judicial correspondence and ratification of the agreement by member states.