NCJ Number
54131
Journal
Deviance et societe Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 385-388
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
EXISTING PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS FOR BELGIAN JUDGES ARE EXPLAINED AND CRITICIZED.
Abstract
MANY JUDGES BELIEVE A CONCERN WITH THEIR FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL INTEREST TO BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE DIGNITY AND INDEPENDENCE OF THEIR POSITION. CONSEQUENTLY, ALTHOUGH VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS FOR JUDGES EXIST (E.G. THE ROYAL UNION OF JUSTICES OF THE PEACE, THE UNION OF JUVENILE JUDGES OF THE KINGDOM, THE NATIONAL UNION OF APPELATE JUDGES), THEY ARE HARDLY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MAJORITY OF JUDGES AND ARE NOT CONSIDERED SERIOUS NEGOTIATION PARTNERS BY THE GOVERNMENT. IN ADDITION, ELECTIONS IN THESE ORGANIZATIONS DO NOT ALWAYS FOLLOW DEMOCRATIC RULES, AND FREQUENTLY THE VARIOUS ASSOCIATIONS ARE AT ODDS WITH EACH OTHER. AS A RESULT, WHEN PARLIAMENTARY DECISIONS VIOLATING THE INTERESTS OF JUDGES OCCUR, THE JUDGE'S REACTION COMES TOO LATE AND IN TOO UNORGANIZED A FASHION TO MAKE AN IMPACT. YET THE FUTURE TASKS OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS ARE NUMEROUS: THE PROTECTION OF JUDGES' RIGHTS; THE IMPROVEMENT OF THEIR STATUS; A REORGANIZATION OF NIGHT AND WEEK-END ASSIGNMENTS; AND GUARANTEES OF INDEPENDENCE, PROMOTION AND ADVANCEMENT. THESE GOALS CAN ONLY BE REACHED THROUGH A COLLECTIVE AND ORGANIZED EFFORT OF ALL JUDGES. --IN FRENCH. (SAJ)