What are the characteristics of the Judiciary in a State?
Explanation
(i) Impartiality: The judiciary is impartial to the extent that it is not a creation of the executive or legislature and so cannot be influenced by them.
(ii) Political neutrality: The judiciary is politically neutral. Judges do not engage in partisan politics. It rather acts as an arbiter in cases of political disagreements.
(iii) Permanence: The judiciary is a permanent institution inherited by successive governments. Its terms do not end at the end of any political regime /tenure.
(iv) Independence: The judiciary is made independent of the executive and the legislature, in order to avoid undue interferences and delays in the judicial process and to promote separation of power.
(v) Professionalism: The judiciary is made up of judges who are legal experts. This enhances the integrity and efficiency of jurists.
(vi) Stable tenure of office of judges: In some countries, judges hold office until they retire, if they are not found guilty of any corrupt practices, or ill health. Stable tenure increases skill by taking advantage of experience.
(vii) Judicial Immunity: Judges enjoy judicial immunity in the performance of their duties.
(viii) Due process: The judiciary operates according to laid down procedure/precedence
(ix) Code of conduct: The judiciary has prescribed code of conduct in order to protect their professional integrity.