Managing Judicial Performance: The (Changing) Ethical Infrastructure

In an independent, impartial judiciary, self-management is the core of managing judicial performance. However, judicial officers work in a context which requires institutional organisation, management and support. They also operate within a network of formal and informal norms, processes, and practices that constitute an ethical infrastructure, seeking to promote good judging. This article first describes the current judicial work context, the changing demands on judicial officers, and the consequences for judicial performance. Following that is a consideration of the adequacy of the ethical infrastructure to support good judging and to manage or regulate judicial conduct.