Observing Justice: Digital Transparency, Openness and Accountability in Criminal Courts

This book examines how major but often under-scrutinised legal, social, and technological developments have affected the transparency and accountability of the criminal justice process.

Drawing on empirical and evaluative studies, as well as their own research experiences, the authors explore key legal policy issues such as equality of access, remote and virtual courts, justice system data management, and the roles of public and media observers.

Highlighting the implications of recent changes for access to justice, offender rehabilitation, and public access to information, the book proposes a framework for open justice which prioritises public legal education and justice system accountability.

Judith Townend is Reader in Digital Society and Justice at the University of Sussex.

Lucy Welsh is Reader in Criminal Justice at the University of Sussex.