Judicial Independence and the Modern World: A Canadian Perspective

Judicial independence is a phrase we often use, but seldom stop to think about. It is easy to gloss over, yet it is essential to the administration of justice in most—if not all—legal systems, and certainly those based in the common law tradition.

In this lecture, the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada, will examine judicial independence with a modern lens. His Honour will explore the evolution of judicial independence in Canada, compare and contrast with different jurisdictions throughout the world, and examine, more broadly, why judicial independence is crucial to good justice.

His Honour will also provide brief comment on the current challenges to judicial independence posed by two major developments that forced—and are forcing—courts around the world to rapidly evolve: the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising prevalence of artificial intelligence in judicial decision-making.

Refer to programme details here: