A Global Judicial News Report: March 2026

Pictured above: The Palazzo della Consulta in Rome, home of Italy’s Constitutional Court. On March 22 and 23, Italians will vote on constitutional reforms affecting the judiciary, among other measures. (Credit: iStock/vololibero)

In the News

International Courts  —

International Criminal Court Judges Find Former Philippine President Duterte Fit to Stand Trial

ICC judges found that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial for crimes against humanity. ICC prosecutors alleged that Duterte funded and armed “death squads” to kill thousands of alleged narcotics peddlers and users as part of his “war on drugs” scheme. In late February, the ICC concluded its confirmation of charges hearing and has 60 days to issue a decision. (Al Jazeera, 01/26/26) Keep Reading »  

Election of Six Judges to the International Criminal Court in 2026

The Assembly of States Parties to the ICC has begun the 2026 election of six judges. This cycle, prior to the voting process, the court established a permanent due diligence process for the confidential submission of information about candidates’ character and alleged misconduct. (ICC, 02/09/26) Keep Reading »  

EUROPE

Italy 🇮🇹 —

Explainer: What Is at Stake in Italy’s Referendum on Judicial Reform?

Later this month, Italy will hold a constitutional referendum about a plan to reform the judiciary, among other provisions. This initiative would separate the careers of judges and prosecutors into two distinct paths with no possibility of switching between them; the reforms would also create two independent high councils to oversee them. Critics warn that the changes would weaken judicial independence and make it easier for the government to influence prosecutors and the investigations they decide to pursue. (Reuters, 02/19/26) Keep Reading »   

Spain 🇪🇸 —

The Constitutional Court’s Final Stretch on Puigdemont and Amnesty

The Constitutional Court of Spain unanimously rejected Carles Puigdemont’s request to suspend the national arrest warrant against him and grant him amnesty. Puigdemont, Catalonia’s former president, faces charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds. (El Pais, 01/27/26) Keep Reading »  

United Kingdom 🇬🇧 —

UK Charges Former Syrian Intelligence Officer With Murder as a Crime Against Humanity

British prosecutors have charged a former Syrian intelligence officer living in the United Kingdom with murder as a crime against humanity, along with torture-related offenses, for his alleged role in the violent repression of anti-government protests in Damascus in 2011. The case is believed to be the first prosecution in the UK to bring murder charges as crimes against humanity under the International Criminal Court Act 2001. (The Times, 03/09/26) Keep Reading » 

Lawyers Warn Proposed UK Jury-Trial Reforms Are “Unworkable”

Senior judges, barristers, and legal scholars warned in a letter to The Times that government proposals to significantly limit jury trials in England and Wales are unworkable and risk undermining public participation in the justice system. The critics argue the plan — allowing judge-only trials for many offenses carrying sentences of up to three years — would not meaningfully reduce court backlogs and could weaken confidence in criminal verdicts. (The Times, 03/08/26) Keep Reading » 

ASIA

Asia-Pacific 🌏 —

Progress for Women Judges in Asia, but Leadership Gaps Persist

A United Nations Development Programme analysis reports that while women are increasingly entering judicial careers across Asia, they remain significantly underrepresented in senior leadership roles on courts. The report highlights examples of progress in countries such as Thailand and the Philippines but notes that structural barriers and gender bias continue to limit women’s advancement within the judiciary. (UNDP, 02/24/26) Keep Reading »

AFRICA

Sudan 🇸🇩 —

RSF Violations in Capture of El Fasher Amount to War Crimes

The UN’s Human Rights Office found that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committed war crimes and likely crimes against humanity during their October 2025 capture of El Fasher. Reports document more than 6,000 civilian deaths in three days. (OHCHR, 02/13/26) Keep Reading »  

AMERICAS

Canada 🇨🇦 —

Canada’s Highest Court Rules Charter Protects Broad Right to Mobility

Canada’s Supreme Court ruled in Taylor v. Canada that section 6 of the Charter protects a broad constitutional right for Canadians to move freely between provinces. The case was brought by a Nova Scotia resident who was barred from entering Newfoundland during COVID-19 to attend a funeral. The ruling signals that governments must exercise caution when imposing interprovincial travel restrictions. (Canada Constitution Foundation, 02/13/26) Keep Reading »  

United States 🇺🇸 —

U.S. Supreme Court Wades Into U.S-Cuba Business Disputes, With Billions at Stake

The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether U.S. companies can sue for property that Cuba seized after Castro took power in 1959. Two cases before the Court center on the Helms-Burton Act: Cruise lines are being sued for using Havana’s port facilities, and ExxonMobil is suing a Cuban state company over oil assets confiscated decades ago. While both cases address different legal issues, the ruling will clarify the scope of a 1996 law that allows Americans to sue over such claims. (Reuters, 02/22/26) Keep Reading »  

The March 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.