Contempt for Court in Russia: The Impact of Litigation Experience

• Published in: Review of Central and East European law 2017-01, Vol.42 (2-3), p.134-168
• Main Author: Hendley, Kathryn
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0925-9880; 1573-0352; 0925-9880
• DOI: 10.1163/15730352-04202002

This article explores how Russians think about their courts and whether court veterans are distinguishable from those who have never used the courts. The analysis is based on data generated by a nationally representative survey fielded in 2010. The analysis clearly shows that users and nonusers think differently about courts and law. Users are both more positive and more negative about the courts, depending on the context. Although they praise the work of judges and other courthouse personnel in their own cases, they seem to emerge with lingering negative views of the courts that come into focus when asked more general questions. Nonusers tend to be more optimistic about the potential of courts to achieve justice.