INDEPENDENCE AND GOOD FAITH OF THE COURT AND JUDGES IN THE DIGITAL AGE: AN INTEGRATION EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Introduction: the article is devoted to the problems of judicial independence and standards of judicial conduct. Purpose: to analyze the independence of judges tracing its procedural and judicial development through the example of the activities of the Court of the EAEU, as well as in the light of the emergence of new virtual forms of influence on judges and their independence. Methods: general scientific methods of analysis, synthesis, generalization, comparative legal method, cultural-historical approach. Results: the EAEU has already established international integration management bodies; however, violation of procedural regulations (or their absence) generates unacceptable dishonesty in the implementation of norms. A conflict that slows down the integration can arise not only directly in the economic turnover but can also be artificially created by a bad faith influence on the court from the public, for example, in a digital environment. This happens in case of violation of standards of international service such as competence, objectivity, conflict of interest, and good faith. Pressure to change a judicial act is a particularly dangerous form of violation of these standards. Conclusions: it is necessary to improve the procedural formalization of the activities of the EAEU bodies: the methods of voting on economic issues in supranational bodies should be changed, as well as the structure of the Court of the EAEU. Changes are also required in the mechanism of execution of the Court’s judgments. Publicity as well as stricter mechanisms for appointing judges, including those of an international court, can serve as a serious antidote to bad faith actions in a virtual environment.