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Judicial bodies as the third branch of political systems play an increasingly important role in contemporary politics in every part of the world and in the concepts of comparative politics. In spite of this importance, research about Constitutional Courts and Judicial Politics in Western and Eastern Europe is under-developed compared to the US where one finds very regular and lively debates. The aim of the group is to gather researchers in order to achieve a better understanding of the role of domestic and international courts and Judicial Politics and to fill the existing research gap. The group should be helpful in stimulating the judicial politics field regarding research issues theory, methods and data.
The Standing Group on Law and Courts aims to:
1. Advance research and knowledge. The Standing Group promotes the study of judicial politics, encompassing different levels of the judiciary, a wide range of actors, and both national and international courts. It also provides a platform for interdisciplinary scholarship that connects research on judicial politics with broader research streams in political science and related disciplines.
2. Foster scholarly cooperation. It seeks to develop and maintain an international network of researchers in the field of judicial politics, facilitating ongoing exchange and cooperation. In addition, it collaborates with other academic organizations dedicated to the study of law and courts to strengthen ties across related research communities. The Standing Group promotes the active participation of scholars from disadvantaged regions in its activities and ECPR events to ensure the participation of diverse perspectives.
3. Support academic development. It promotes the professional development of early-career scholars. The Standing Group organizes events such as workshops for early-career researchers and a section on the politics of law and courts at each year’s ECPR General Conference, thereby fostering connections between junior and senior academics.
4. Represent and support members. The Standing Group’s Steering Committee represents the views and interests of the Standing Group’s members within ECPR’s central bodies to ensure their voices are heard in relevant decision-making processes. Furthermore, it supports network- and community-building efforts within the Standing Group.
1. Coordinate an annual section on the politics of law and courts at the ECPR General Conference.
2. Confer the Best Conference Paper Award for an Early-Career Researcher at the ECPR General Conference.
3. Maintain an email list and a Bluesky account to facilitate the exchange of news, research opportunities, calls for papers, and requests for collaboration.
4. Organize additional events such as workshops and online lectures to promote scholarly exchange and professional development.
Byelaws in Addition to the
Group Framework
1. The Steering Committee of the Standing Group on Law and Courts shall consist of seven elected members.
2. Following each year’s ECPR General Conference, the Standing Group on Law and Courts will confer the Best Conference Paper Award for an Early-Career Researcher.
a) Eligibility of candidates: This award shall be granted to the paper by an early career scholar that presents the most outstanding theoretically driven, empirical research on law and courts at the respective conference. To be eligible, the author must either be enrolled in a Ph.D. program or have obtained the Ph.D. no more than three years prior to the respective conference. The candidate must be the principal author and presenter of the paper. Co-authored work can be considered. In the case of co-authored work, all authors must meet the eligibility criteria. The paper must not have been published prior to its presentation at the conference.
b) Jury composition and duties: The jury will consist of three members and shall be composed with attention to gender diversity. The chair of the jury must be appointed from among the members of the Steering Committee and will serve a term corresponding to that of the Steering Committee members. The remaining jury members will rotate annually and are selected among the general members of the Standing Group. The winner of the award will be invited to join the jury in the following year. All jury members are required to disclose any conflicts of interest at any point of the selection process for the award, and any member with a conflict of interest must withdraw from decision process where such conflict exists. The jury must document its decision in accordance with ECPR regulations.