Transparency International (TI) is the civil society organisation leading the global fight against corruption. Through more than ninety chapters worldwide and an international secretariat in Berlin, Germany, TI raises awareness of the damaging effects of corruption, and works with partners in government, business and civil society to develop and implement effective measures to tackle it. For more information go to: www.transparency.org

Transparency International’s Global Corruption Report 2007 brings together scholars, legal professionals and civil society activists from around the world to examine how, why and where corruption mars judicial processes, and to reflect on remedies for corruption-tainted systems. It focuses on judges and courts, situating them within the broader justice system and exploring the impact of judicial corruption on human rights, economic development and governance.

Two problems are analysed: political interference to pressure judges for rulings in favour of political or economic interests, including in corruption cases; and petty bribery involving court personnel. The result is a thorough analysis of how judicial independence and judicial accountability, two concepts key to the promotion of judicial integrity, can be bolstered to tackle corruption in judicial systems.

Included are thirty-seven country case studies; recommendations for judges, political powers, prosecutors, lawyers and civil society; and sixteen empirical studies of corruption in various sectors, including the judiciary.