Judicial Communication: Fostering Trust in the Legal System

Lukas Bornschein is conducting interdisciplinary research on judicial communication and its significance in democratic societies. The research focuses on how courts communicate about individual cases and the legal system as a whole, emphasizing the role such communication plays in fostering trust in the judiciary. By integrating legal and political theoretical considerations, anthropological perspectives, and empirical analysis, the project examines the complex dynamics between the judiciary, media, and public perception.

The empirical analysis focuses on how courts across Europe, particularly lower-instance courts in Germany, communicate their decisions. Special attention is given to understanding the motivations behind judicial engagement with public outreach and the factors that drive courts and judges to enter the realm of media.

The central aim of the thesis is to uncover what prompts courts and judges to publish their work and engage in public discourse. In a more general sense, the research will contribute to a broader understanding of the judiciary’s role in shaping trust and legitimacy in democratic societies.