Simply a Matter of Style? Comparing Judicial Decisions

Abstract:

The style and format of court judgments have been subject to developments worldwide as courts adapt to the increasingly important issue of visibility and accessibility of judicial decisions. This article considers the evolving nature of the form of judgments within the common law focussing upon the UK Supreme Court, and analysing recent changes within a historical and comparative law perspective. It is argued that the Supreme Court should now be ready to leave the experimental stage and establish one main form of judgment, a change which will require changes to working methods, particularly in terms of deliberations and drafting.