Judicial bias must be exposed and reforms to increase courtroom honesty implemented. To ensure a fair adjudication of each and every case, judiciary has to be independent, impartial and act with integrity.
Judiciary and law enforcement
An independent judiciary and clean law enforcement are central to democracy and rule of law.
Strengthening independent judiciaries through higher salaries and better legal protections is an effective way to tackle corruption, holding the corrupt accountable and giving their victims justice. People’s experiences with the judiciary and law enforcement are often very different from this: many face demands for bribes to dismiss a charge, fast-track a case or slow down a trial. Judges can also be bribed, or subject to political pressure and interference from above.

Photo: Sebastian Pichler / unsplash.com
Corruption in the judicial system breaks the basic principle of equality before the law and deprives people of their right to a fair trial. In a corrupt judicial system, money and influence may decide which cases are prioritised or dismissed. Perpetrators may get away unpunished while victims are left with no answer and no justice.
Simple reforms can prevent this. An independent body and public oversight can guarantee that appointments in the judiciary are based on merit rather than favouritism. Judicial personnel should be adequately trained and receive fair salaries and pensions, to make them less vulnerable to bribery. Judges’ personal liability for decisions should be limited and, to protect them from pressure by powerful interests, only credible and transparent investigations should be conducted against them.
Civil society, the private sector, and the media – we all have a vital role to play.
What are we doing about it?
We provide research and evidence
that analyses the systemic failures that compromise the integrity, independence and accountability of the judiciary.

Photo: Jonathan Borba / unsplash.com
We support governments and policy makers
to build a strong, independent and accountable judiciary and law enforcement. Together with our international, regional and national partners, we push for the adoption, monitoring and enforcement of anti-corruption laws and standards.

Photo: You X Ventures / unsplash.com
We encourage and educate practitioners
to stand up for integrity in the judiciary and to demand changes in attitude and practice – because change must come from within the system.

Photo: freestocks / unspash.com
We mobilise citizens
and offer them channels to voice their concerns and hold the judiciary accountable.
Find out more about our work
News
+ More
Captured states in the Western Balkans and Turkey
News •

Will rampant corruption spark an Arab Autumn?
News •
A common factor has underpinned mass protests in Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon over the past two months: outrage over corruption and financial mismanagement by governments.

Announcing the theme for the 19th edition of the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC)
News •
Designing 2030: Truth, Trust & Transparency
Publications
+ More
Corruption Perceptions Index 2020
Publication •
The Corruption Perceptions Index scores 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, according to experts and business people.

Examining State Capture: Undue Influence on Law-Making and the Judiciary in the Western Balkans and Turkey
Publication •
The capture of the state in the Western Balkans and Turkey is enriching politicians and their networks at the severe cost of ordinary citizens.

Breaking the Silence around Sextortion: The Links between Power, Sex and Corruption
Publication •
Sexual extortion or “sextortion” occurs when those entrusted with power use it to sexually exploit those dependent on that power. It is a gendered form of corruption that occurs…

Corruption Perceptions Index 2019
Publication •
The Corruption Perceptions Index scores 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, according to experts and business people.
Projects
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CRIMJUST: Strengthening criminal justice along drug trafficking routes
Project
Strengthening criminal justice institutions’ integrity and accountability to fight organized crime and drug trafficking.
Blog
+ More
In North Macedonia, public pressure opens a door to combat entrenched corruption


Vanuatu: Corruption worsening the impacts of COVID-19 and natural disasters


How to solve Ukraine's constitutional crisis


Did an alleged corrupt natural gas contract rob Nigeria of US$9.6 billion?

Press releases
+ MoreAfrican Union Summit is an opportunity to make good on anti-corruption convention commitments
Press •
Ukraine must immediately restore corruption prevention system
Press •
TI Arab Region chapters condemn arbitrary arrest in Occupied Palestinian Territories
Press •
Guatemala: authorities must respect independence of courts and swiftly resolve the judicial crisis
Press •
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