For most bizjets and regional airliners, they have TCAS [0]. The rule is that pilots follow TCAS resolution, even if the controller gives them contradictory instructions.

There has only been one crash[1] where TCAS was used on both aircraft, and functioning. One of the aircraft followed the controller, ignored the TCAS resolution and a mid-air collision occurred.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_collision_avoidance_sy...

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%9Cberlingen_mid-air_collis...

Yes, although if you go against ATC and it's not an emergency, they may tell you to call a special number and answer some questions (get in trouble with the FAA, have your license suspended, etc). The general idea is to listen to ATC and do as requested unless doing so would put you, your airplane, another airplane or the ground in imminent danger.

ATC are humans too, just like pilots, so mistakes sometimes happen. ATC has a larger picture, but pilots are on the scene up close. The important thing is that we work together to keep everyone safe.

> Aren't there times where his judgement might be clouded or controllers better informed ?

Sure, and the same could be said of the ATC. But the ATC never has direct control of an aircraft, unlike the pilot.