Research Committee for Comparative Judicial Studies

The Research Committee for Comparative Judicial Studies (IPSA RC #9, first recognized in 1973) is one of 49 active research committees of the IPSA.

Our purpose is to promote scholarly work on law, courts, and judicial processes from a comparative perspective, i.e., one that seeks to explain similarities and differences within various countries. This entails analyses of the various components of the judicial process--the legal profession, the judiciary, courts (as institutions), legal doctrines, legal cultures, etc.--and how these components relate to other political institutions: executives, legislatures, political parties, constitutions, federalism, political culture, etc.

Ultimately, we seek to bring the study of the various dimensions of judicial systems within the mainstream of comparative political research.

RC #9 encourages comparative research on judicial systems and the participation of scholars in our program regardless of the disciplinary origins and commitments of those who do the research.