The CSCJA’s memberships in the International Association of Judges (IAJ) and the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (CMJA) offer valuable opportunities to address global issues affecting judicial independence, the rule of law, and the administration of justice.

IAJ activities

  • Canada is part of the ANAO (Asia, North America and Oceania) Regional Group. In May 2025, the CSCJA hosted the Regional Group’s meeting in Toronto, ON, at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, with representatives from the US, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Taiwan, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as seven CSCJA representatives. 
  • Presentations included the impact of social media on respect for judicial officers, and international approaches to reducing court delays and increasing use of ADR. 
  • Special guests included Associate Chief Justice Faye McWatt, Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs Marc Giroux, and Senator Pierre Moreau.

Canada holds a prominent and unique role within the IAJ, with Justice Clayton Conlan serving as President of the IAJ’s Third Study Commission on criminal law and Vice-President of ANAO for the last year, as well as several other Canadians serving as members on other commissions. 

We are pleased to announce that Justice Clayton Conlan was recently appointed as the President of the ANAO Regional Group. Because the appointment occurred mid-term for the Regional Group Presidential mandate, Justice Conlan will lead the work of this key group until the IAJ annual meeting in October, when elections will be held. We have full faith that he will provide the same passion and purposeful leadership that he demonstrated as the CSCJA President for 2024-2025.

Visit the IAJ website to keep up to date on its news and events.

CMJA activities

  • The CMJA connects associations and individual members from Commonwealth countries, holding annual conferences with themes relevant to both the Commonwealth and the host nation. The 2025 conference will be held in Banjul, Gambia, from September 21-26, under the theme, “Innovations In Judicial Practice: Embracing Change For A Better Future.” The Canadian Judicial Council has approved funding for three judges to attend.
  • Justice Lynne Leitch of Ontario is concluding her three-year term as CMJA President.
  • The 2024 conference in Kigali, Rwanda, focused on the theme, “Environmental Justice.” Justice Graeme Mew prepared a detailed report on the conference for CSCJA members. Key highlights included: 
    • Participation of over 300 delegates, including 11 from Canada (six federally appointed judges).
    • A keynote speech by Chief Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo of Rwanda, who proposed the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a basic human right.
    • Presentations by Canadian delegates, including Justice Malcolm Rowe on “The Role of the Courts in Environmental Protection: A Canadian Perspective.”
    • A poignant visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
    • Discussions on “Restorative Justice After Conflict,” featuring insights into Rwanda’s traditional “gacaca” (grass) courts, which handled approximately 1.9 million genocide-related cases between 2005 and 2012.
    • An update on the Nauru Declaration on Judicial Wellness, which emphasizes that judicial well-being is fundamental, not a sign of weakness, a shared responsibility, supported by an ethical and inclusive culture, and requires comprehensive awareness, prevention, and management strategies tailored to national jurisdictions.
  • The CMJA has actively contributed to the UN proclamation of July 25 as the International Day for Judicial Well-Being.
  • The CMJA also collaborated with the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, who issued a report warning of a global trend of governments undermining democracy by attacking the rule of law and judicial independence. The CMJA publicly condemned the suspension of the Chief Justice of Ghana and recently issued a statement regarding the summary dismissal of two chief justices in the Maldives. These statements along with others in support of Judicial Independence can be found here on the CMJA website.

Visit the CMJA website to keep up to date on its news and events.