A Global Judicial News Report: Year-End 2025
Judicature International (2025) | An online-only publication
Spain’s Supreme Court in Madrid, where Prosecutor General Alvaro Garcia Ortiz was recently convicted of leaking confidential information. (Credit: istock/Fernando Valero Lopez)
In the News
International Courts 🌐 —
ICC Under Pressure as General Assembly Reviews Court’s Work
The president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) presented the Court’s 2025 report to the General Assembly, noting that the number of countries that have ratified the Rome Statute has risen to 125. She also outlined challenges facing the Court, including withdrawals from the statute, limited cooperation by some states in executing arrest warrants, and cyberattacks, which she said affect the court’s ability to carry out its mandate. (United Nations, 11/11/2025) Keep Reading »
ICC Strategic Plan (2026-2029)
The ICC set out a court-wide plan to strengthen the effectiveness, efficiency, and credibility of international criminal justice. The plan outlined 10 strategic goals focused on delivering justice, strengthening cooperation with states, placing victims at the center of the court’s work, safeguarding operations and institutional values, and enhancing risk management. (United Nations, 12/08/2025) Keep Reading »
ICC Rejects Israeli Bid to Halt Gaza War Investigation
The ICC rejected a request by Israel to suspend its investigation into alleged war crimes related to the Gaza conflict and allowed the prosecutor’s inquiry to proceed despite Israel’s objections. (Reuters, 12/15/2025) Keep Reading »
EUROPE
United Kingdom 🇬🇧
UK Plans to End Jury Trials for Crimes with Sentences Under 3 Years
In an effort to reduce criminal court backlog, the British government announced plans to limit jury trials in England and Wales by creating “swift courts” in which judges alone would decide cases involving offenses carrying a potential prison sentence of three years or less. The proposal was justified as an emergency measure to speed up justice for victims and has drawn criticism for undermining the historic right to trial by jury. (BBC, 12/02/25) Keep Reading »
UK Chief Justice Warns Jury Trial Limits Are No ‘Silver Bullet’
As the British government moves forward with plans to limit jury trials in England and Wales for offenses carrying potential sentences of under three years’ imprisonment, Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr cautioned that court backlogs cannot be solved through structural reform alone. While declining to comment directly on the proposal, Carr emphasized that reducing delays requires both procedural changes and sustained investment in judicial resources, warning against framing jury trial reform as a substitute for funding, staffing, and courtroom capacity. (The Times, 11/24/25) Keep Reading »
Italy 🇮🇹
Italy’s Top Court Upholds Acquittal of Salvini in Migrant Kidnapping Case
Italy’s Supreme Court upheld the acquittal of Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini in a migrant kidnapping case, which stemmed from his 2019 decision to block a rescue ship from docking. While migrant advocates condemned the decision, the ruling drew praise from Salvini and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as validation for strict border enforcement. (Reuters, 12/17/25) Keep Reading »
Poland 🇵🇱
Same-Sex Marriage Must Be Respected Throughout EU, Top Court Tells Poland
The European Union’s top court ruled that all member states must recognize same-sex marriages performed in other EU countries when at least one spouse is an EU citizen. The court reprimanded Poland for refusing to recognize a marriage between two citizens that took place in Germany. (BBC, 11/25/25) Keep Reading »
Spain 🇪🇸
Spain’s Prosecutor General Resigns After Court Rules on Confidential Leak
Spain’s chief prosecutor, Alvaro Garcia Ortiz, resigned after the Supreme Court found him guilty of leaking confidential information in a case involving the partner of a leading opposition figure. The ruling includes a two-year ban from office, though Garcia Ortiz said he stepped down out of respect for the court and may still appeal the verdict. (Reuters, 11/24/25) Keep Reading »
Slovakia 🇸🇰
EU Opens Case Against Slovakia Over Constitutional Change
The EU has launched an infringement procedure against Slovakia over recent constitutional amendments that declare national law supreme over EU law on cultural and ethical issues, including LGBTQ+ rights. (Reuters, 11/21/25) Keep Reading »
ASIA
Thailand 🇹🇭
Judges Across Asia Debate the Risks and Opportunities of AI in Courts
Judges from 13 Asia-Pacific countries gathered in Bangkok to discuss how artificial intelligence is affecting justice systems. They emphasized that AI tools must be used with human oversight and safeguards to support fairness in the justice system. (UNESCO, 11/20/25) Keep Reading »
India 🇮🇳
‘Anti-Democratic’: 56 Former Judges Denounce Move to Impeach Justice GR Swaminathan
Fifty-six former Supreme Court and High Court judges have publicly condemned a parliamentary impeachment notice against Madras High Court Justice Swaminathan and warned that the attempt to remove him over a controversial temple lamp ruling would threaten judicial independence and undermine democracy. (The Times of India, 12/12/25) Keep Reading »
Japan 🇯🇵
Japan’s Same-Sex Marriage Ban Is Constitutional, Says Tokyo Court
A Tokyo High Court ruled that Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage does not violate the country’s constitution and noted that civil law defining marriage falls within legislative authority and does not unlawfully discriminate. (BBC, 11/28/25) Keep Reading »
AFRICA
Kenya 🇰🇪
UN Elects Phoebe Okowa of Kenya to the International Court of Justice
The UN elected Phoebe Okowa of Kenya to serve as a judge on the International Court of Justice. (AfricaNews, 11/12/25) Keep Reading »
AMERICAS
Brazil 🇧🇷
Supreme Court Recognized Existence of Structural Racism in Brazil
Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court officially recognized structural racism in the country and ordered the government to take action to address it, including measures to reduce racial disparities in areas like public services. The ruling came in a lawsuit brought by the Black Coalition for Rights and seven political parties seeking official acknowledgement of systemic racial discrimination in Brazil. (AgenciaBrasil, 12/19/25) Keep Reading »
United States 🇺🇸
4 Takeaways From Trial of Judge Accused of Aiding Undocumented Immigrant
Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan’s trial centers on whether she unlawfully helped an undocumented immigrant avoid ICE arrest at a courthouse. The prosecution is widely viewed as a warning to other judges who may interfere with federal immigration enforcement. (The New York Times, 12/18/25) Keep Reading »
State Department to Sanction ICC Judges Over Israel
The U.S. State Department announced sanctions on ICC judges and other officials involved in the ICC’s investigation of alleged war crimes related to the Israel-Gaza conflict. (Politico, 12/18/25) Keep Reading »
The Death Penalty in 2025: Majority of Capital Juries in 2025 Rejected Death Sentences
In 2025, DPI research found a growing reluctance among capital juries to impose the death sentence, even as executions nearly doubled to 48, which was primarily driven by Florida. (Death Penalty Information Center, 12/15/25) Keep Reading »
The Year-End 2025 Global Judicial News Report was compiled and written by Polina Solovyeva, a JD candidate at Duke Law School and a Student Editor for Judicature International.