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“Almanac of Law”
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  5. Abuse of Judicial Authority

Almanac of law. Issue 16 (2025), pages 382–387.

DOI: 10.33663/2524-017X-2025-16-382-387

Ivanov V. Р.
Abuse of Judicial Authority

The article examines the issue of judicial abuse of authority and the mechanisms for holding judges legally accountable. All presented examples of judicial abuse of authority are analyzed through the lens of their classification into official and non-official misconduct, which allows for a more comprehensive assessment of the nature of violations, their impact on the administration of justice, and their consequences for society.

National legislation is analyzed to distinguish between official and non-official judicial powers. Official powers encompass a set of legally established rights and duties that ensure the proper administration of justice in accordance with the law. Meanwhile, non-official judicial powers include rights and opportunities that are not directly related to the adjudication process but stem from the judge’s special legal status. Differentiating these categories is crucial for analyzing cases of judicial abuse of authority and determining the grounds for legal accountability. It is emphasized that judicial abuse of authority undermines the integrity of the justice system and public trust in the judiciary.

Abuse of powers by a judge contravene ethical standards and legislative requirements that govern the judiciary. Given the special status of judges, mechanisms of legal accountability must strike a balance between judicial independence and the need for effective oversight of their activities.

The study is driven by the necessity to assess the effectiveness of existing mechanisms of disciplinary, administrative, and criminal accountability of judges as instruments for preventing abuse of powers. It is also crucial to analyze the challenges encountered in holding judges accountable, including preserving the independence of the judiciary and adhering to international standards in this field. Investigating the legal nature of abuses of judicial powers and developing effective mechanisms for their prevention are key tasks for strengthening the rule of law and fostering citizens’ trust in the judicial system.

The discussion focuses on the balance between judicial independence and effective accountability for violations, as well as the challenges arising in the implementation of oversight mechanisms. Special attention is given to the necessity of improving legal instruments for preventing abuses that undermine the authority of the judiciary and threaten the principle of the rule of law.

The author proposes a definition of “judicial abuse of authority” that reflects contemporary legal enforcement realities.

Key words: abuse of rights, abuse of authority, judge, legal liability, harm.

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