Osgoode Hall Review of Law and Policy (OHRLP)

In this lecture, the author addresses the appropriate role of the judge in society. Judicial independence and impartiality require that a judge seek to distance herself from the world, prior connections, conflicts of interest and social activism. Although judges may take judicial notice of certain facts, they are otherwise limited to the arguments of the parties to a dispute. Nevertheless, judges must be attentive and critical observers of the world, eager to learn and gain knowledge about the evolving nature of economic life, science, religion and all other issues in contemporary society because distance and impartiality from the world do not imply ignorance of it.

The Honourable Justice Louis LeBel. "L'Acte de Juger Entre Connaissance et Distance du Monde" (2009) 2 Osgoode Hall Rev.L.Pol'y.29.