Informal Networks and gender bias: review of cases from the perspective of open justice and judicial ethics

Abstract

This essay is the result of a documentary and content analysis (Bardín, 1991) that considers court rulings and press coverage of recent disciplinary proceedings involving the Judicial Branch (PJUD) of Verónica Sabaj and Antonio Ulloa. Its analysis is linked to the principles of judicial ethics and Open Justice in institutional practice. According to Jímenez-Gómez (2017), this involves promoting transparency, citizen participation, and collaboration among the different actors in the justice system to strengthen public trust, guarantee effective access to justice, and improve the quality and legitimacy of judicial institutions. A comparative review of the verdicts reveals that the application of sanctions presents gaps between the formal and informal rules that operate within the judicial sphere, including gender bias and internal practices that condition the impartiality expected by citizens. These findings suggest the need to strengthen Open Justice and accountability mechanisms to reduce disciplinary discretion and move toward more consistent and transparent decisions.