SIX Conclusion: Towards a New Framework for Justice System Accountability
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Judith Townend
Abstract
In Chapter Six, the book concludes by arguing for a broad approach to open justice that recognises the importance of public participation in a model of justice system accountability and does not wholly rely on the news media as a proxy for transparency.
The authors suggest implementing more nuanced and evidence-based approaches to open justice that respond to advances in digital technologies and, in doing so, also attempt to lessen systemic and individualistic harms, including stigmatisation. Recommendations centre on widening public interest court reporting, improving justice data availability and accountability, and increasing resources and investment in the facilitation of public access.
Such an approach prioritises public legal education and access to justice, as well as effective scrutiny of the criminal justice system. The authors contend that the practical application of open justice demands regular scrutiny and debate, to take account of changes in the way that society and the courts work. Overall, their work demonstrates how the principle can be effectively dissected, by attending to the practical realities of its application, and by testing its objectives through socio-legal research.
Abstract
In Chapter Six, the book concludes by arguing for a broad approach to open justice that recognises the importance of public participation in a model of justice system accountability and does not wholly rely on the news media as a proxy for transparency.
The authors suggest implementing more nuanced and evidence-based approaches to open justice that respond to advances in digital technologies and, in doing so, also attempt to lessen systemic and individualistic harms, including stigmatisation. Recommendations centre on widening public interest court reporting, improving justice data availability and accountability, and increasing resources and investment in the facilitation of public access.
Such an approach prioritises public legal education and access to justice, as well as effective scrutiny of the criminal justice system. The authors contend that the practical application of open justice demands regular scrutiny and debate, to take account of changes in the way that society and the courts work. Overall, their work demonstrates how the principle can be effectively dissected, by attending to the practical realities of its application, and by testing its objectives through socio-legal research.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- Series Editor’s Preface vii
- About the Authors viii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Introduction: Why We Need to Rethink Approaches to Open Justice in the Criminal Courts 1
- A History of Accountability in Criminal Courts 12
- Justice System Modernisation, Digitalisation and Data 40
- The Role of the Public and Media in Observing Justice 65
- The Human Impact of Justice System Transparency 93
- Conclusion: Towards a New Framework for Justice System Accountability 120
- References 133
- Index 158
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- Series Editor’s Preface vii
- About the Authors viii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Introduction: Why We Need to Rethink Approaches to Open Justice in the Criminal Courts 1
- A History of Accountability in Criminal Courts 12
- Justice System Modernisation, Digitalisation and Data 40
- The Role of the Public and Media in Observing Justice 65
- The Human Impact of Justice System Transparency 93
- Conclusion: Towards a New Framework for Justice System Accountability 120
- References 133
- Index 158
