Which fundamental principle guides the exercise of judicial power?

The fundamental principle that guides the exercise of judicial power is the separation of powers. This principle establishes a distinct boundary between the functions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. The purpose of this separation is to prevent any one branch from wielding excessive power, thereby ensuring a system of checks and balances.

In the context of judicial power, this principle ensures that the judiciary operates independently from the other branches. This independence allows courts to make impartial decisions based on the law without influence from the legislative or executive branches. The separation of powers thus upholds the integrity of the judicial system, protects individual rights, and maintains the rule of law.

While the other concepts like accountability, legal certainty, and access to justice are important in a legal context, they stem from the broader framework established by the separation of powers. Accountability relates to the responsibility of the judiciary to uphold the law, but it is the separation of powers that primarily dictates how judicial authority is exercised. Similarly, legal certainty refers to the clarity and predictability of the law, and access to justice emphasizes the availability of legal remedies, both of which rely on the independence and autonomy granted by the separation of powers.