Judicial immunity

Judicial immunity is a form of sovereign immunity, which protects judges and others employed by the judiciary from liability resulting from their judicial actions. It is intended to ensure that judges can make decisions free from improper influence exercised on them, contributing to the impartiality of the judiciary and the rule of law. In modern times, the main purpose of "judicial immunity [is to shield] judges from the suits of ordinary people", primarily litigants who may be dissatisfied with the outcome of a case decided by the judge.

In some countries judges are immune to lawsuits. In other countries absolute immunity is considered contrary to the rule of law and judicial misconduct is not completely protected.

Depending on the jurisdiction, judges may be criminally charged for some forms of courtroom behavior. The method by which judges are removed varies by the judicial system in question; they include removal by other judges on the same or a higher court (in the United States, a judicial council), by a recall election, by the next regular election, or following impeachment by a legislature. In some countries judges have been imprisoned, for example judges in the Kids for cash scandal.

To increase public trust in the judiciary and judicial accountability to voters judicial reforms have been proposed, including improving nonpartisanship and increasing judicial liability for judicial wrongs.