Abstract
The question whether or not the judicial system is understood by the general public presupposes the prior question, namely, whether it is, or ought to be, a concern of the judicial system that the public does not simply note its existence but also understands its workings. In other words, to what extent is the pursuit of public information work by the courts appropriate or even advisable? Is the status quo satisfactory or excessive? Or would it be better to increase activities in this area? What are the benefits of actively pursuing press and public information work and are they proportionate to the efforts involved? What are the limits of reasonable press and public information work? Many of these issues remain unresolved.
Former President of the Higher Regional Court Düsseldorf, and Vice-President of the Constitutional Court for the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia.
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Notes
- 1.
Compare Von Coelln (2014).
- 2.
See the judgment of the Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht) of 24 January 2001 in cases 1 BvR 2623/95 and 1 BvR 622/99.
- 3.
Ibid.
- 4.
In relation to civil cases, compare, for example, Gottwald (2016), paragraph 1. Likewise, rulings in criminal cases are, as a rule, not binding in other cases, not even in follow-on proceedings (for example, an action for damages) even where the facts of the case concern the same victim and offender. Compare the judgment of Zweibrücken Higher Regional Court of 1 July 2010 in case 4 U 7/10.
- 5.
Feskorn (2018), paragraph 1.
- 6.
Amendment inserted by the Law on expanding media coverage of court proceedings (Gesetz über die Erweiterung der Medienöffentlichkeit in Gerichtsverfahren) of 8 October 2017.
- 7.
Explanatory memorandum to the Federal Government draft of the Law on expanding media coverage of court proceedings of 31 August 2016. According to the explanatory memorandum, in the light of technological and societal changes, the existing strict legal prohibition on video and audio transmission was no longer in keeping with the times. It noted that livestreams of public events have become widespread and supplement or increasingly are replacing traditional forms of reporting. Print media also now take account of internet reporting and new forms of communication such as internet blogs or the messaging service Twitter. Moreover, in the case of foreign courts, a trend towards greater media coverage is noticeable.
- 8.
Compare Lückemann (2018), paragraph 2.
- 9.
Finding of the Federal Administrative Court (Bundesverwaltungsgericht) in its judgment of 26 February 1997 in case 6 C 3/96, citing numerous references to case-law and legal commentators.
- 10.
Federal Administrative Court, judgment of 26 February 1997 in case 6 C 3/96.
- 11.
Ibid.
- 12.
Ibid.
- 13.
Ibid., first paragraph of the official headnote.
- 14.
Feskorn (2018), paragraph 1.
- 15.
Section 7(5) of the Guidelines for working with the media (Richtlinien für die Zusammenarbeit mit den Medien), General Decision of the Ministry of Justice (Allgemeinverfügung des Ministeriums der Justiz) of 12 November 2007 (1271 - II. 2) – Justizministerialblatt für das Land Nordrhein-Westfalen (2008) 2 – as amended on 28 July 2015 – Justizministerialblatt für das Land Nordrhein-Westfalen (2015) 329.
- 16.
Compare, for example, Section 4(1) of the North Rhine-Westphalia Law on the press (Landespressegesetz NRW).
- 17.
General Decision of the Ministry of Justice (Allgemeinverfügung des Ministeriums der Justiz) of 12 November 2007 (1271 - II. 2) – Justizministerialblatt für das Land Nordrhein-Westfalen (2008) 2 – as amended on 28 July 2015 – Justizministerialblatt für das Land Nordrhein-Westfalen (2015) 329.
- 18.
Section 7(4) of the abovementioned General Decision.
- 19.
Compare Huff (1993), p. 207, who also identifies these issues.
- 20.
The same view is taken by Zülch (1994), pp. 36–37.
- 21.
Article I of the abovementioned Guidelines for working with the media sets out the premise that prompt and reliable information from the press, radio, television, electronic and other forms of mass media promotes the public’s understanding of the justice system. In addition, reporting by the media presents valuable assistance for the work of justice system institutions.
- 22.
Compare the statement by the President of the Federal Constitutional Court, Justice Voßkuhle, in an interview with the Rheinische Post (Rheinische Post 2018), in relation to the Court’s 1995 rulings, known as the “Crucifix judgment” and the “Soldiers are murderers” ruling. He said: “At the time, the Court did not communicate those decisions well, many people in the country did not understand them. As a reaction, Court President Jutta Limbach established a press office, so that the Court would be understandable as a court of the people. The confidence and acceptance of the people upholds the Federal Constitutional Court and it is this support that has given the Court its significance.”
- 23.
The particular demands of the information society were highlighted by the Federal Administrative Court in its judgment of 26 February 1997 in case 6 C 3/96.
- 24.
In an interview with the Rheinische Post (Rheinische Post 2018) the President of the Federal Constitutional Court, Justice Voßkuhle, put it as follows: “However, that does not mean that we can rest on our achievements and take for granted the stability of our political system. No democracy is safeguarded from changes. This is something we can witness very clearly in the successful democracies of neighbouring countries which are running into difficulties.”
- 25.
- 26.
Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (2010).
- 27.
Rheinische Post (2010b).
- 28.
Duisburg Regional Court press release of 10 March 2014.
- 29.
Duisburg Regional Court press release of 2 July 2014.
- 30.
Duisburg Regional Court press release of 29 August 2014.
- 31.
See the judgment of the Federal Constitutional Court of 24 January 2001 in cases 1 BvR 2623/95 and 1 BvR 622/99.
- 32.
Bundesgesetzblatt I 2017, No 68, 3546.
- 33.
Compare the interview with Professor Rainer Schlegel, President of the Federal Social Court (Bundessozialgericht), published in Juris (2017).
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Acknowledgements
The author wishes to thank the press officer at Dusseldorf Higher Regional Court, Local Court Justice Dr Mihael A. Pohar, LL.M. (Münster), for his assistance in preparing this chapter. This text was translated from German by Paul Skidmore.
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Paulsen, AJ. (2019). On Understanding and Being Understood – The Judicial System, Communication and the Public. In: Selvik, G., Clifton, MJ., Haas, T., Lourenço, L., Schwiesow, K. (eds) The Art of Judicial Reasoning. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02553-3_17
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