A Global Judicial News Report: February 2026

Pictured above: The U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., where a majority of the Court struck down President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs. (Credit: iStock/YinYang)

In the News

International Courts 🌐 —

International Criminal Court Adopts New Rules Clarifying Acquittal Procedures

The ICC adopted amendments clarifying procedures governing defense motions for acquittal. The changes establish stricter timelines and clearer standards for judges to assess whether prosecutors’ evidence is sufficient to sustain a conviction. The reforms are intended to improve procedural efficiency and fairness in ICC trials. (ICC, 2/21/26) Keep Reading »

International Criminal Court Judges Describe Impact of U.S. Sanctions on Court Officials

Judges at the ICC reported that U.S. sanctions imposed over war-crimes investigations disrupted their daily lives, including canceled financial accounts and restricted access to services. The judges warned that the sanctions threaten judicial independence and the court’s ability to fulfill its mandate to prosecute international crimes. (The Guardian, 2/18/26) Keep Reading »

International Criminal Court Hears Groundbreaking Genocide Case Against Myanmar

The ICC has begun hearings on a landmark genocide case brought by Gambia, accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority. Myanmar’s government denies the allegations and argues the actions were counterterrorism measures. International advocates say the proceedings could finally deliver justice and set a global precedent for how genocide is prosecuted. (The New York Times, 1/12/26) Keep Reading »  

EUROPE

Poland 🇵🇱 —

Polish President Vetoes Judicial Reform Bill Amid Rule-of-Law Conflict

Polish President Karol Nawrocki vetoed a major judicial reform bill aimed at restoring judicial independence by changing how judges are appointed to the National Council of the Judiciary. The veto deepens tensions between Poland’s president and its pro-EU government, and prolongs a dispute over judicial independence and political influence in the courts. (Reuters, 2/19/26) Keep Reading »

United Kingdom 🇬🇧 —

Judge-Only Trials in England and Wales Will Not Wipe Out Crown Court Backlog, Report Says

A report by the Institute for Government found that introducing judge-only trials in England and Wales would only have a marginal effect on reducing the Crown Court backlog. The analysis suggests that more effective measures should focus on boosting court productivity and resources rather than curtailing jury trials. (The Guardian, 1/21/26) Keep Reading »  

Loophole on Crimes Committed Abroad Leaves Victims in the Lurch

A Times report says a loophole in UK law currently prevents British courts from prosecuting serious international crimes committed abroad unless the accused is a UK citizen or resident, allowing alleged perpetrators to enter the UK without fear of prosecution. Proposed amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill would expand universal jurisdiction to cover such offenses. (The Times, 1/21/26) Keep Reading »  

ASIA

Indonesia 🇮🇩 —

Indonesia’s New Penal Code Takes Effect, Marking Historic Break with Colonial Law

Indonesia’s newly ratified penal code took effect on January 2, 2026, replacing the Dutch colonial-era criminal law that had governed the country for more than a century. Officials called this a historic break from colonial legal legacy. (PBS News, 1/2/26) Keep Reading »  

Hong Kong 🇭🇰 —

Hong Kong Begins National Security Trial of Tiananmen Vigil Group

Hong Kong’s High Court has begun a national security trial against three former leaders of the former Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, who organized annual vigils commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. They have been charged with “inciting subversion of state power” under the city’s national security law. (NBC News, 1/22/26) Keep Reading »  

South Korea 🇰🇷 —

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced to Life in Prison

A Seoul court sentenced former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of leading an insurrection. This relates to his December 3, 2024, martial law declaration, where he ordered military and police forces to block the National Assembly in an attempt to override the legislature. (Associated Press, 2/19/26) Keep Reading »

AFRICA

Central African Republic 🇨🇫 —

Central African Republic Court Validates Touadera’s Re-Election

The Constitutional Court of the Central African Republic validated President Faustin-Archange Touadera’s victory in the disputed presidential election and confirmed him as president-elect. Touadera, who has led the country for a decade, has secured a third term in office and sparked concern over corruption. (Reuters, 1/19/26) Keep Reading »  

Nigeria 🇳🇬 —

Nigeria’s Ex-Justice Minister Granted Bail in $6M Corruption Case

Nigeria’s ex-justice minister Abubakar Malami and several family members were granted bail in a high-profile corruption and money-laundering case after spending time in detention while the investigation occurred. Malami, a senior figure in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, faces charges that reflect wider concern about corruption at the highest levels of Nigerian politics. (BBC, 1/8/26) Keep Reading »  

AMERICAS

Haiti 🇭🇹 —

Haiti’s Ouanaminthe Reopens Courthouse After a Century, But Justice Has Yet to Arrive

Haiti reopened the Court of First Instance in Ouanaminthe but the facility remains nonfunctional because no judges have been sworn in, no administration is in place, and no hearings are scheduled. The standoff over judicial appointments demonstrates deeper problems in Haiti’s judicial system. Critics claim that the government opened a building rather than restoring judicial access. (The Haitian Times, 1/16/26) Keep Reading »  

United States 🇺🇸 —

U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Global Tariffs

In a 6–3 decision authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs imposed under a national-emergency law, ruling the statute did not authorize the broad trade measures. The decision curbs the president’s power over tariffs; Trump denounced the ruling and announced plans to pursue a new 10% global tariff under a different legal authority. (Reuters, 2/20/26) Keep Reading »  

Supreme Court Highlights: Justices Seem Inclined to Allow States to Bar Transgender Athletes

On January 13, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two landmark cases challenging state laws that ban transgender girls and women from competing on girls’ and women’s school sports teams. The outcome would not only determine the legality of these laws under the Constitution and Title IX, but also have broader implications for how transgender rights are treated in education and civil rights law. (The New York Times, 1/13/26) Keep Reading »  

Venezuela 🇻🇪 —

Venezuela Approves Amnesty Law for Political Detainees

Venezuela’s National Assembly passed and interim President Delcy Rodríguez signed a broad amnesty law allowing courts to release individuals detained for political reasons. The measure has already led to the release of hundreds of prisoners, though rights groups are monitoring its implementation. (El País, 2/20/26) Keep Reading »  

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The February 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, and Michelle Kaminsky, managing editor of Judicature and Judicature International.