Attacks on Justice 2005: New Zealand
Separation of powers in New Zealand is generally effective and respected in practice. Both the judiciary and the legal profession fulfil their duties in an ethical manner free from interference.
Separation of powers in New Zealand is generally effective and respected in practice. Both the judiciary and the legal profession fulfil their duties in an ethical manner free from interference.
Timor Leste’s judicial sector, including the legal system and the police service, remains fragile. It continues to be plagued by a lack of competent judicial actors, resources, training and management.
There are long delays in getting matters before the courts and in getting hearings, doctors do not attend court to answer questions regarding medical reports, people are unlawfully held in custody as a result of court delays and the police either fail to understand or abuse their powers. There is an extensive backlog of cases, with figures showing that judges in the district courts that are operating, mainly the one in Dili, have handled approximately four cases per year.
East Timor-Attacks on Justice 2005-Publications-2008 (full text, PDF)
Judicial independence is entrenched in the Constitution, and safeguarded in law and in practice.
The absence of judicial independence continues to represent a serious menace to state development and to human liberties.
Judges face considerable pressure from the executive and the military and have received threats for making unfavourable decisions.