This book compares the systems of judicial independence in China and Germany, with the aim of drawing lessons from the German experience to improve the judicial system in China. The review of the German system not only discusses the system of judicial independence itself but also analyses its corresponding social and constitutional set-up in order to identify the social and constitutional and/or governmental foundations necessitated. On this basis, the author discusses which experiences by the German system of judicial independence the Chinese system could draw on, which aspects would have to be adapted to certain particularities of the Chinese system, and which problems of execution or social context might arise due to the differences between Germany and present-day Chinese society and constitutional government.

This volume challenges the conventional wisdom about judicial independence in China and its relationship to economic growth, rule of law, human rights protection, and democracy. The volume adopts an interdisciplinary approach that places China's judicial reforms and the struggle to enhance the professionalism, authority, and independence of the judiciary within a broader comparative and developmental framework. Contributors debate the merits of international best practices and their applicability to China; provide new theoretical perspectives and empirical studies; and discuss civil, criminal, and administrative cases in urban and rural courts. This volume contributes to several fields, including law and development and the promotion of rule of law and good governance, globalization studies, neo-institutionalism and studies of the judiciary, the emerging literature on judicial reforms in authoritarian regimes, Asian legal studies, and comparative law more generally.

The challenges courts face today all over the world can only be solved in close cooperation between judges and academics. The anthology brings judges from China, Germany, Slovenia, England and Wales and Norway and academics together for a cross-border dialogue.

This book analyzes in detail differing interpretations of the rule of law in Western legal systems and in the People’s Republic of China. As the rule of law is seen by many as a prerequisite for China’s future development, politicians, activists and entrepreneurs from China and from the West alike have long been calling for adherence to this principle, which is constitutive of Western democracies. All these groups use the same words, but do they truly share the same idea? In order to address this question, the book compares the “Rule of Law with Chinese characteristics,” as propagated by Chinese leaders and in official Chinese publications, to different applications of the rule of law as it is understood in Western civilization. In particular, the author takes a closer look at the implementations of recognized core elements of the rule of law in representative Western countries, which include the separation of power, the supremacy of law, the protection of fundamental rights, and the independence of the justice system.

The Culture of Judicial Independence: Rule of Law and World Peace, is the third book by Shimon Shetreet on Judicial Independence. The first was Judicial Independence: The Contemporary Debate (edited by Shimon Shetreet and Jules Deschênes, Nijhoff,1985). The second was The Culture of Judicial Independence: Conceptual Foundations and Practical Challenges (Edited by Shimon Shetreet and Christopher Forsyth, Nijhoff, 2012). This volume contains essays by senior academics, judges and practitioners across jurisdictions offering an analysis of several central issues relative to the culture of Judicial Independence. These include judicial review, human rights, democracy, the rule of law and world peace, constitutional position of top courts, relations between the judiciary and the other branches of government, impartiality and fairness of the judicial process, judicial ethics, dispute resolution in arbitral awards and international investments, international courts and cross country issues, judicial selection. The volume also offers an update report on the International Project of Judicial Independence of the International Association of Judicial Independence and World Peace, including the relations of top courts and international courts, administrative judges, culture of judicial independence and public inquiries by judges.

A comparative, systematic and critical analysis of constitutional courts and constitutional review in Asia.

Explores judicial independence, integrity and impartiality in Asia-Pacific countries.