According to Robert Spano, former President of the European Court of Human Rights and now a partner at Gibson Dunn, the distinct roles of politicians and judges must be staunchly defended. This claim was made amid burgeoning sentiments from certain political quarters advocating for restrictions in the powers of the judiciary. In his speech at the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple in London, Spano pointed towards a growing conviction that democracy is simply a synonym for majority rule. Such a belief, he warns, suggests a dangerous desire for life to be governed solely by politics, dismissing the vital role of law.
In an increasingly complex and polarised world, Spano argues that ‘impartial and independent judges’ are of paramount importance. This is a brief summary based on limited information available from Law.com.