Towards a Deeper Understanding of Trust in Courts: A Commentary on the Special Issue

Towards a Deeper Understanding of Trust in Courts: A Commentary on the Special Issue by Juan A. Mayoral The idea of trust in courts is emerging as a fundamental and evolving issue due to its critical role in the functioning and legitimacy of judicial systems. This raises numerous conceptual and practical challenges, intensified by the expanding role of courts in addressing complex political, economic and social issues. In this context, developing a robust framework and employing innovative empirical strategies to understand trust in and between courts – referred to as judicial trust – becomes essential. An approach that shifts the focus from purely legal conceptual developments to a broader consideration of relational and institutional factors that promotes trust between courts and the wider public. To evaluate the potential and limitations of this framework, the contributions in the special issue are examined, shedding light on the mechanisms that foster and sustain judicial trust. These insights ultimately underscore how trust shapes the legitimacy and cooperation of courts in democratic societies and regional integration initiatives.