Published by the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law
June 2026 • Judicature International
Hi Friend,
Welcome to the refreshed look of Judicature International: a streamlined format focused on developments shaping courts and the rule of law globally.
This month’s issue examines a recent U.S. advisory opinion addressing when judges may speak publicly — and when they should not — in an increasingly complex media environment. The opinion was also a focal point of a recent Bolch Judicial Institute seminar, part of our ongoing reporting on how courts are navigating these pressures.
We are interested in how courts around the world are approaching similar questions. If your court has developed guidance or practices in response to criticism, misinformation, or threats to judicial independence, please share!
— Michelle Kaminsky
Managing Editor, Judicature International
June 2026 Feature
When Judges May Speak
A U.S. Advisory Opinion Offers Guidance for Judges Responding to Attacks on Courts
<img class="ji-feature-image" src="https://i1.createsend1.com/ei/t/14/3AF/C17/030926/csfinal/DecisionTreeart-artsyblocks-9900000000079e3c.png" alt="Illustrated blocks showing a path dividing at a question mark into two possible directions" >As public criticism of courts intensifies around the world, judges face a difficult question: When — and how — should they speak publicly in defense of judicial independence, the rule of law, or colleagues under attack?
A recent U.S. advisory opinion offers a framework. It affirms that judges may speak, write, and engage in civic education on core issues and, in some circumstances, defend colleagues facing illegitimate attacks. But it also draws clear limits: Judges must avoid commenting on pending cases, engaging in partisan politics, or undermining public confidence in their impartiality.
Where is the line — and how should judges navigate it?
Global Judicial News:
June 2026
External links note: Links to external news articles, reports, and other materials are provided for reference and reader convenience. The Bolch Judicial Institute does not control, endorse, or assume responsibility for the content, advertising, accessibility, or availability of external sites.
Accountability & Court Decisions
- Final Case at UN Tribunals for Yugoslavia and Rwanda Atrocities Comes to an End | By Molly Quell for The Associated Press
- Former South Korean Justice Minister Gets 25-Year Prison Term for Role in Martial Law Declaration | By Kim Tong-Hyung for The Associated Press
- ICC Chief Prosecutor Khan Suspended by British Lawyers’ Regulator | By Stephanie van den Berg and Anthony Deutsch for Reuters
Judicial Reform & Administration
- Judicial Reform Plan Aims to Speed Up Court Proceedings in Türkiye | Hürriyet Daily News
- Senior Lawyer, CSO Warn Nigeria’s Democracy at Risk Over Electoral, Judicial Trust | By Ameh Ochojila for The Guardian Nigeria News
- The Freedom to Not Be Listened To: Argentina’s Milei Limits Citizen Participation in Decision-Making | By Javier Lorca for El País
Research & Reports
- Anti-Corruption and Integrity Outlook 2026 | Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- Global Program on Justice and Rule of Law | World Bank Group
- Literature Review: The Rule of Law and the Institutional Roots of Economic Performance | Laura Lopez-Gomez for the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law
- Thematic Report on the Role of Justice Systems in Addressing the Climate Crisis — Call for Input | UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner
This news roundup was compiled by Polina Solovyeva, a JD candidate at Duke Law School and a Student Editor for Judicature International.