Smekal, Hubert (2023) Informality as a Virtue: Exploring Positive Informal Judicial Institutions. German Law Journal, 24 (8). pp. 1555-1576. ISSN 2071-8322

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Abstract

Most scholarly writings focus on the harmful effects of informal institutions. This article explores the positive influence of informal judicial institutions on the fundamental values of judicial systems. It develops a framework for assessing such institutions. The paper argues that the normative evaluation of informal judicial institutions is highly context-specific. Depending on their historical trajectories, different jurisdictions may emphasize different interests. Because of this, when evaluating informal judicial institutions, balancing the same values may yield different results in different jurisdictions. The recent trend towards formalization, supported by supranational institutions, goes hand-in-hand with the spreading narrative of good governance, emphasizing principles such as transparency or inclusion, principles that generally stand in tension with informality. This article cautions against emerging supranational templates insensitive to local practice.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Informal institutions; informal practices; courts; judiciary; rule of law; democracy; judicial independence;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Law
Item ID:	18698
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1017/glj.2023.92
Depositing User:	Hubert Smekal
Date Deposited:	27 Jun 2024 13:46
Journal or Publication Title:	German Law Journal
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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