Moderator:
Panelists:
Prof.(em) Alexander Blankenagel, Berlin
Prof. Andras Sajo, Vice-President (ret.) European Court of Human Rights
Dr Olga Sidorovich, Director, Institute for Law and Public Policy, Moscow
Abstract:
Constitutional courts are the first target of illiberal forces after having obtained power. This panel will consider to what extent judges can resist the pressure coming from the political branches of power, before a new personal formation of government loyalists takes over and what are the applicable ethical and professional standards. Further, the panel of experts will also address the issue to what extent the professional judicial ethics can work once the new judges are in power. The “domestication” of constitutional courts may have international repercussions and it is possible that the standards applied in still robust democracies may undergo change. Finally, the participants will debate possible strategists for litigants and NGOs.