Unpacking the Debate on Judicial Appointments Outside the United States: What Research Might Be Able to Contribute to the Normative Conversation

Until relatively recently, judicial selection did not stir up much interest outside the United States. However, with the increase in judicial power in courts around the world, the process of judicial selection has received more attention. Debates about possible reforms to the selection process have emerged on the political agenda of many countries (Malleson 2006, 10). These debates tend to revolve around two major dimensions. First, how desirable is it to have political input into the selection process compared to a process that is more insulated from partisan or electoral race, language, religion, region, or disability) emphasized in the selection process?