by Andrew Cunningham and Eric Surber
Judicature International (2025) | An online-only publication
Cover Photo: Harvard University (Photo Credit: Roman Babakin)
On April 11, the Trump administration called for sweeping leadership reforms at Harvard University, changes to its admissions policies, and demanded that the University audit the expression of particular viewpoints on campus. Harvard President Alan Gerber responded that the University would not comply. Shortly thereafter, the Trump administration froze over $2.2 billion in federal funding. In a lawsuit recently filed by Harvard, the University’s legal team characterized the funding freeze as a violation of both the First Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
Jeremy Fogel, executive director of the Berkeley Judicial Institute, remarked that “it looks like the administration has decided to see how far it can push the boundaries of the rule of law and see where it’s resilient and where it’s not.” He noted that while law schools may be less vulnerable to government pressure than other university departments, internal concerns remain that legal students and faculty may begin to “worry that they won’t be able to say certain things.”
United States 🇺🇸
Two federal district court judges have voiced skepticism about the legality of President Trump’s executive orders targeting the law firms WilmerHale and Perkins Coie. In separate cases, attorneys for the firms have asked for the orders to be permanently blocked, describing them as unconstitutional acts of retaliation. Citing national security concerns, the executive orders purport to restrict the firms’ lawyers from accessing federal buildings and terminate government contracts held by their clients. However, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell noted that the revocation of a similar order against Paul, Weiss — following the firm’s agreement with Trump — was “the clearest evidence” that the measures “have nothing to do with national security.” (Reuters, 04/23/25) Keep Reading »
Speaking at a lecture to Georgetown Law School’s graduating class of 2025, Chief Justice John Roberts emphasized the importance of the rule of law and safeguarding judges from “ad hominem” attacks. “The notion that rule of law governs is the basic proposition,” he said. “Certainly as a matter of theory, but also as a matter of practice, we need to stop and reflect every now and then how rare that is, certainly rare throughout history, and rare in the world today.” (Politico, 05/12/25) Keep Reading »
South Korea 🇰🇷
South Korean prosecutors have indicted former President Moon Jae-in on corruption charges. They allege that Moon received the equivalent of $150,000 in exchange for facilitating the employment of his son-in-law at an airline effectively controlled by a former member of Moon’s party. Prosecutors claim the job was offered to gain favor with the then-president and that all salary and financial benefits paid to the son-in-law between 2018 and 2020 constituted bribes rather than legitimate compensation. Moon’s party has condemned the indictment as “an abuse of unchecked prosecutorial power,” calling it a “politically motivated move aimed at humiliating a former president.” (France 24, 04/24/25) Keep Reading »
Moon is not the only former South Korean president in legal jeopardy. Former president Yoon Suk Yeol’s trial on charges of leading an insurrection through his brief imposition of martial law on December 3rd is presently ongoing. During the trial’s first hearing, Yoon, a former prosecutor, argued on his own behalf that his attempt to impose martial law did not constitute insurrection. The prosecution has maintained, however, that Yoon’s central aim in the imposition of martial law was “start[ing] a riot” and “subverting the Constitution.” If convicted, Yoon faces life in prison or even the death penalty — though the latter is unlikely as South Korea has maintained an unofficial execution moratorium since 1997. (The Korea Times, 04/21/25) Keep Reading »
International Criminal Court 🌐
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to rule on a dispute between Sudan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sudan brought a case before the Court, alleging that the UAE has exacerbated the country’s ongoing conflict by supplying arms to opposition forces. Sudan is requesting that the ICJ order the UAE to cease its involvement and provide full reparations, including compensation to victims of the war. Legal experts note that the mere existence of the case serves as a warning to nations about the risks of providing aid to foreign conflicts. (The Guardian, 04/17/25) Keep Reading »
Ghana 🇬🇭
For the first time in the nation’s history, Ghana’s President has suspended the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The content of the petition against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has not yet been made public, but under Ghanaian law, Supreme Court justices may be removed only on limited grounds, including incompetence or misconduct. Ghana’s former Attorney General has described the suspension as “the biggest assault on the [judiciary] in our nation’s history.” Chief Justice Torkornoo will be invited to appear before a committee to respond to the allegations before a final decision is made regarding her removal from office. (BBC, 04/22/25) Keep Reading »
Russia 🇷🇺
An Australian citizen faces up to 15 years in a Russian prison after being criminally charged for fighting on behalf of Ukraine. Russian media allege that Oscar Jenkins was paid between $11,000 and $15,000 per month to fight against Russian forces. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that his government will use all available means to advocate for Jenkins before what he called “the reprehensible regime of Vladimir Putin.” Albanese also emphasized that Jenkins’s actions, in supporting the Ukrainian army, were in defense of international rule of law. (The Age, 04/19/25) Keep Reading »
Indonesia 🇮🇩
Indonesian authorities have arrested several judges on suspicion of accepting bribes in exchange for issuing a favorable ruling. Prosecutors allege that the Chief Judge of the South Jakarta District Court received approximately $3.57 million to secure the acquittal of three palm oil companies accused of corruption. The chief judge then allegedly distributed $1.07 million of the bribe to the panel of judges presiding over the case. Indonesia’s Supreme Court has stated that, if convicted, the judges will be dismissed from the judiciary. (Reuters, 04/14/25) Keep Reading »
United Kingdom 🇬🇧
In a politically divisive decision, the UK Supreme Court has ruled that the terms “woman” and “sex” under the Equality Act refer exclusively to biological sex. As a result, transgender women are no longer legally recognized as women for the purposes of sex-based protections, raising concerns about their access to spaces such as bathrooms, hospitals, and sports clubs. The ruling has been welcomed by some women’s rights advocates, who argue it restores clarity and reinforces safeguards for single-sex spaces like prisons and domestic violence shelters. Conversely, transgender advocates and allies have expressed serious concern that the decision will fuel discrimination and diminish institutional support. (CNN, 04/19/25) Keep Reading »
France 🇫🇷
Marine Le Pen, the frontrunner in France’s 2027 presidential election, has been banned from holding political office for five years following her conviction for embezzling European Union funds. The court also sentenced her to four years in prison, with two years suspended. The presiding judge stated that Le Pen’s conduct constituted a “serious and lasting attack on the rules of democratic life in Europe.” As a result, the court deemed it necessary to bar her from political office in order to uphold respect for France’s democratic institutions. Le Pen has denounced the ruling as a violation of the rule of law, calling it a wholly “political decision.” (CNN, 03/31/25) Keep Reading »
Japan 🇯🇵
The Osaka High Court has ruled that Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. The decision overturns a 2022 District Court ruling, which had upheld the ban by downplaying the disadvantages faced by same-sex couples. Under Japan’s current legal framework, marriage-related rights — such as inheritance, tax benefits, and joint custody — are available exclusively to heterosexual couples. Despite mounting pressure, Japan remains the only member of the Group of Seven to have not legalized same-sex marriage. (Kyodo News, 03/25/25) Keep Reading »
New Zealand
In an address to the New Zealand Law Society on May 15, 2025, Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann warned that “there is no room for complacency” amid a global decline in the rule of law and public trust in institutions. “Attacks on the rule of law may not be a new phenomenon, but in each generation, and in each place, they have their own flavour,” she said. Among other topics, the Chief Justice emphasized the need for New Zealand’s courts to expand accessibility services for disabled and deaf communities. (New Zealand Courts, 05/16/25) Keep Reading »
The combined April/May 2025 Global Judicial News Report was compiled and written by Eric Surber, digital editor for Judicature International, and Andrew Cunningham, an LLM candidate at Duke Law School and a Student Editor for Judicature International. He also serves as a judicial extern to Judge Jeffery Carpenter of the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Prior to Duke, Andrew completed his LL.B. at Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), where he graduated first in his class and was the recipient of the Henry Hamilton Hunter Memorial Prize.
