This volume explores an understudied aspect of courts: The extent to which informal institutions and relational networks (e.g., professional, clientelist, famil

Uses a comparative perspective to demonstrate how informal institutions and relations shape the composition and performance of courts globally.

Informal forms of justice such as mediation have been greeted enthusiastically as progress from the punishment model of justice -- and criticised as broadening

Explains when, why, and how citizens try to limit the Supreme Court's independence and power-- and why it matters.

Judicial systems are under increasing pressure: from rising litigation costs and decreased accessibility, from escalating accountability and performance evaluat