法官來到我們班

二008年三月二十六日下午，省高級法院的本尼特法官先生來到我們班講解加拿大的“司法獨立”，然後回答學生的問題。

本尼特法官先生說，加拿大法律是從幾方麵保障司法獨立的體製：確保法官的收入，確保法官的職位，確保法官不涉及他/她所熟悉的環境人物之案件。最後一點也是最重要的，確保司法與立法、執法、和政府部門的分開。

能夠成為一個法官，就意味著進入了高收入一族。本尼特法官先生自報年收入為二十五萬兩千，再加上五千加元的書報費。這個數字那與加拿大2006年家庭平均收入六萬五加元的比較，那不是一般的可觀。給與法官高薪的原因，據說是為了避免他們受賄，另一方麵也是對他們十年寒窗苦讀和長期辛勤工作的回報。想象一下我們國內法官的收入，甚至少於國內外企銷售員，那就無語了。

另一個保障司法獨立的政策就是法官的職位是終身製的。法官的任命程序是這樣的，有一個獨立的委員會根據律師或者司法工作人員的優秀品德給出一個名單。名單中的候選人年齡，女性在三十歲以上，男性在四十歲以上，相信比較成熟的年齡也就比較能獨立思考不受幹擾的能力。然後省首席檢察官從名單中選任省法院的法官，聯邦司法部長或者總理從名單中選任聯邦法院或省高級法院的法官。一旦被任命為法官，省法院工作的七十歲才退休，省高級法院和聯邦法院的到七十五歲。這樣，因為他們的位置是穩固的，法官在法庭上將無畏地做出判決。

還有，法官必須回避任何他/她所熟悉的環境（社區）和人物所牽連的案件。這是一條紀律，如果法官認為自己無法作出中間公正的判決，他們必須退出審理。另外，在加拿大，法官不得參與任何政黨（這和美國不一樣），這樣也就預防了政治傾向影響法官的公正判決。

在加拿大，最重要的政策是司法、執法、立法是完全分開的。執法是內閣和公務人員，稱為服務員（servants)，不是領導也不是上司。立法人員是被選出來的法律製定者，司法是在法院工作的人員。司法部門與另外兩個毫無關聯，完全獨立；這樣，就保證了司法的基本原則。雖然不少國家標榜自己也是三角鼎力的製度，可是真正做到就比較困難。因為這樣的話，每個人（包括國家主席總統總理）在法律麵前和條款下真正的平等了。

本尼特法官先生說完後，班級裏每個學生開始提問。我問了兩個問題，可是沒有一個答案是令人滿意的。

第一個問題是：加拿大政策如何能保證法官生涯中一直保持他們的美德？如果他們犯了錯誤如何處置。本尼特法官先生的答複僅僅限於身體健康方麵：他說如果發生法官在開庭時打瞌睡或者思想不集中或者由於生病缺席，那麽他可病假六個月或者提前退休。

然而，我們的教科書上的信息是，如果法官有誤判，原告可以與律師、法律援助或者社區法律處聯係，決定是否要想對此位法官的判決提出上訴。另外，如果有一方不滿意法官的操作行為，可以與法院人員核實法官的工作地點，決定到底是向加拿大司法委員會還是省法院提出投訴。

我第二個問題是本尼特法官先生是否曾經有拒絕接納由警察或者檢察官用不當手段獲得的證據。法官先生說有的，但是他舉例僅僅是“聽說”的證據不能采納，還有情侶或者夫妻的一方證據不能采納。看來他很回避提及警察或者檢察官負麵的行為。

除了上述兩條，總的來說，這位法官先生的講課對於學生總結和理解司法獨立這個概念很有幫助。司法獨立時區別社會和國家是民主體製還是專製體製。我尊重司法獨立，而且我認為，真正做到比自詡更為艱難。

原文是作業：

Reportof Judge’s Visit on 26 March 2008

On 26th March, Mr.Justice Burnyeat, a judge from Provincial Supreme Court gave our class alecture of Judicial Independence in Canada, after that he answered students’ question.

Mr. Justice Burnyeat says thesystem of Canada ensures Judicial Independence by the following ways: Securityof salary for Judges, security position of Judges, security of separationbetween Judges and his/her familiar environment of cases. And the last and mostimportant policy is that Judiciary is independent of the executive, legislatureand government.

Being a judge, which meanshe/she can have high salary. Mr. Justice Burnyeat gave his own example that hisannual income is around 252,000 CAD, plus 5000 CAD of stationery fee. Comparingto the average income – 65,000 CAD – this job is very good paid. The reasons to let Judges make much highersalary are preventing them from bribery, and the reward to their longer termsstudy and hard work. This is very important and great policy. I have known someJudges were not impartial in China because they were lured by palm grease. Justimagine that the income for a judge in China is much less than a sales peoplein the foreigner-owned company in China.

Security position of Judges isone of the issues to protect independence of the judiciary. Mr. JusticeBurnyeat says that Judges are selected by committee based on their merits, andappointed by attorney general (for Provincial) or federal minister of justiceor Prime minister. Once Judges appointed, it is a life term career until reach75 (appointed by Federal) or 70 (appointed by Provincial). In this case, Judgewill not have any fear to make decision in the court because their positionsare not easily moved. Another regulation is that only those reach a certain agewill be selected as Judge, for woman, it will be above 30, and for man will beabove 40. People believe that a mature person will be more difficult to beinfluenced by other people’s opinion or worldview.

Moreover, Judges must beseparated from the cases that any one involved in the case that Judges arefamiliar with. This is like a discipline, Judges must withdraw the cases ifthey thinks that they are not capable to be impartial. On the other hand, inCanada, any politician or party member is not allowed to be a judge, whichprevents one from influence of any political orientation.

The most significant policy inCanada is that three branches of government are completely separated. Theexecutive are the cabinet and civil servants (not bosses!!!), the legislatureare the elected law makers, and the judiciary are the people work in the courts. The Judiciary is independent ofthe other two; therefor, it ensures the principle of fundamental justice. It isvery hard to do so than to claim so. Then every one is equal in front of orunder law no matter how high the person’s position is.

After the speech give by Mr.Justice Burnyeat, students became to raise questions. I asked Mr. Justice Burnyeat two question; however, none of the answerssatisfied me.

My first question is how can judges keep their merits all theirbusiness life; and what will be done if they made mistakes. Mr. Justice Burnyeat’s reply it from the physical side only. Hesays in case a judge falling asleep during court, or does not think clearly, orabsent due to healthy problem, he/she can ask sick leave or early retire.

Never the less, from the handoutinformation and our law 12 class, we know that if a judge made a decision withmistake in the courts, the complainant can contact a lawyer, legal aid officeor community legal clinic to determine whether or not they can appeal thedecision. Also if the complainant does not satisfied with Judge’s conduct,he/she can check with court staff where the judges sits, to determine whetherto bring the compliant to the Canada Judicial Council or to provincialofficials.

My another question was that if Mr. Justice Burnyeat had everexcluded evidence because it was obtained by improper way. Mr. Justice Burnyeat said yes, but his examples were not relatedwith “improper” way. He said hearsay could not be used as evidence, what youtell your sponsor can not be used in the court. He seems avoid telling anynegative examples that police or Crown would possibly do.

Apart from the issues listedabove, Mr. Justice Burnyeat’s visit, anyway, helps us student to summarize andunderstanding the terms of Judicial Independence in Canada. The JudicialIndependence is a keystone to distinguish systems of a democracy country or adictatorship country. I respect the Judicial Independence from the bottom of myheart, because I was come from China. I wish it can be executed all thecountries so that bring the democracy to the whole world.

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