Stream Convenor: Prof. Gabrielle Lynch G.Lynch@warwick.ac.uk
African politics and societies are becoming increasingly judicialized. How judicial
actors deal with cases and litigants, whether they act independently and impartially,
why different stakeholders bring cases, how they argue them and how they respond
to controversial rulings, and whether justice is seen to be done, will help to determine
the future of African judiciaries, democracy, and stability. Despite their importance,
African judiciaries remain relatively understudied. This stream welcomes papers on
any aspect of African judiciaries. This includes the history of courts, judicial reforms
and current practices; how judges behave both in and out of courts and explanations
of their decision making; the ways in which different actors – from governments to
lawyers and litigants – engage with, use and respond to the courts; the relationship
between different legal systems; and public opinion.
The stream is organised by the African Judiciaries Research Network in collaboration with the British Institute in Eastern Africa.
