A report indicating that the job satisfaction among sitting judges fell by 17 percentage points during the last four years was published on the 31st. Inside the judicial system, some interpreted the findings as evidence that "judges’ sense of self-worth has greatly decreased because of the increased pressure from political groups and others on the courts since last year."
A study carried out by the Judicial Policy Research Institute affiliated with the Supreme Court, which surveyed 940 judges across first- and second-instance courts throughout the country between October and November 2024, found that 68.0% expressed contentment with their career as judges—an overall decline of 17.4 percentage points compared to the 2020 survey (which reported an 85.4% satisfaction level). The proportion of those who indicated they were “very satisfied” stayed steady at 15.4%, roughly halved from the 27.4% recorded in 2020. Among the primary reasons for job satisfaction within the judiciary were "autonomy and independence in performing duties," followed by "social impact and involvement in matters of public concern," along with "workplace security." Factors contributing to discontent included "low pay rates," "intense workload conditions," and "compromises made regarding personal or family time," amongst other issues. This data formed part of the report entitled *Empirical Study on the Current State of Trial Practices and Judicial Working Conditions*, released by the Judicial Policy Research Institute last September.
According to this survey, "inadequate pay" was not one of the leading causes of job unhappiness in the 2020 study but has since moved into the number-one spot. In response to this change, members of the legal field remarked that "judges, who once enjoyed high societal respect and dignity, might now be paying more attention to financial concerns." A senior judge from the High Court noted, "Early in my career, I took great satisfaction in handling challenging cases, yet lately, the sense of prestige within the courtroom has faded due to political influences." He added, "I’ve spent thirty years presiding over trials, and at times, I wonder why I haven’t left earlier." Another judge commented, "Judges shouldn't face unjustified accusations and negative feedback from external sources." Participants in the survey also shared their views, stating that increased scrutiny against the judiciary—such as exaggerated criticisms of trial processes—and the loss of professional self-worth create significant challenges when considering continuing employment up to retirement.
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