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Cambridge Studies in International and Comparative Law
Judiciaries within Europe: A Comparative Review
An in-depth study, originally published in 2006, of the careers and roles of judges in France, Germany, Spain, Sweden and England, this book is based on original language materials and investigations of judges and judicial institutions in each country. On the basis of these detailed case studies, the book suggests factors that shape the character of the judiciary in different countries, focusing on issues such as women's careers and the relationship between judicial careers and politics. Bell's investigations offer lessons on issues which the English judiciary was having to confront in the period of reform at the time of this book's publication.
420 pages, Hardcover
First published August 30, 2002
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May 9, 2020
"Judiciaries Within Europe" is an excellent comparative description of judicial systems in 5 European contries: France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, and England.
It might seem a bit outdated (published in 2006). There certainly have been changes in the described judiciaries since then. However, the pace of systemic changes in established systems is not that fast, particularly when it comes to changing the existing cultures. And this is what John Bell mostly focuses on - he does not simply describe on structural elements of each country's system, but rather analyses the very cultures on which the respective judiciaries are based.
Bell shows that, in fact, there are no universally accepted rules for structuring judicial systems and their functionning. Each country deals with the issues of judicial independence, court structures, judicial appointments and promotions, roles of judges, their relations with general public and representatives of other legal professions in its own uniqe way.
The existing judicial cultures in different countries had been formed not as a result of centralized legislative effort, but rather following long (and differing) historical developments, various reactions to external events, existing culture and traditions of each country.
Bell shows the roots of the existing systems in each of the countries analysed, tries to identify the factors that have determined the particular ways of development of judiciaries in different corners of Europe, describes specific features of judicial cultures and traditions; but he also tries to identify common elements that are characteristic of most of the European judiciaries.
Higly recommend this book to everyone: legal professionals or academic will learn about certain particularities of different judicial systems in Europe, while non-lawyers may better understand the very nature of judiciaries and their roles in societies.
It might seem a bit outdated (published in 2006). There certainly have been changes in the described judiciaries since then. However, the pace of systemic changes in established systems is not that fast, particularly when it comes to changing the existing cultures. And this is what John Bell mostly focuses on - he does not simply describe on structural elements of each country's system, but rather analyses the very cultures on which the respective judiciaries are based.
Bell shows that, in fact, there are no universally accepted rules for structuring judicial systems and their functionning. Each country deals with the issues of judicial independence, court structures, judicial appointments and promotions, roles of judges, their relations with general public and representatives of other legal professions in its own uniqe way.
The existing judicial cultures in different countries had been formed not as a result of centralized legislative effort, but rather following long (and differing) historical developments, various reactions to external events, existing culture and traditions of each country.
Bell shows the roots of the existing systems in each of the countries analysed, tries to identify the factors that have determined the particular ways of development of judiciaries in different corners of Europe, describes specific features of judicial cultures and traditions; but he also tries to identify common elements that are characteristic of most of the European judiciaries.
Higly recommend this book to everyone: legal professionals or academic will learn about certain particularities of different judicial systems in Europe, while non-lawyers may better understand the very nature of judiciaries and their roles in societies.
Displaying 1 of 1 review