Court Review: Volume 41, Issue 3-4 - Working on the Components of Judicial Independence

Courts have often been cited as the weakest of the three branches of government. I do not necessarily agree with that assessment, but increasingly courts are realizing that that does not, in any event, mean they can or should remain silent or passive and allow our sister branches to determine our fate. Court governance and leadership, eliminating bias, improving access, and judicial independence are critical areas upon which we all must focus. They are necessary factors not only in preserving the strength of the judicial branch in our state and federal governmental structures, but also in ensuring that our nation continues at every level to be governed by the rule of law.