The judiciary and civil liberties definitions

Question	Answer
Judicial independence	The principle that members of the judiciary should retain independence from any influence by government or parties or other political movements
Judicial neutrality	The principle that members of the judiciary should avoid allowing their political ideas to affect their decisions in cases. It also implies that judges should not show any systematic bias towards or against any groups in society
Civil liberties	The rights and freedoms that citizens enjoy in relations to the state and its laws
Judicial review	A process whereby the courts review decisions by the state or any public body in relations to its citizens. Where a review finds that a citizen has not been treated fairly, or that their rights have been abused, or that a public body has exceeded its legal powers, the court may set the decision aside.
Rule of law	The principle that all citizens are equal under the law, that all are entitled to a fair trial if accused of a crime and that the government itself it subject to law.
Separation of power	The principle that the three branches of government should be kept own, independent powers. This implies the separation of the judiciary from government and Parliament
Judicial activism	The practice of some higher courts and judges in actively seeking to assert the rights of citizens and to limit the power of government. By doing so they are taking an active role in interpreting and revising the constitution.

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	Created by laura.ng39 almost 8 years ago