A SOCIOLOGICAL REVIEW OF LONG PROCEEDINGS IN THE COURTS FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS AND ADVOCATES

Abstract

From the perspective of judicial officers and advocates, this study investigated the factors and impacts of long proceedings in the courts within a sociological setting. Phenomenology was utilized as a research design and the thematic method was used for data analysis. Data were collected on a semi-structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews with 20 judicial officers and advocates. Eight themes were derived from interviews of the participants. Weak economic position, mutual understanding in terms of acquaintance, exercising influences, using relationships, systematic and inborn corruption, benefits in terms of money, the social position of parties, the experience of a lawyer, political and media reported cases identified as factors of delays. Whereas, long proceedings in the courts are considered negatively and it gives birth to negative perception and results in damaging the expectations of the public about the courts. Social disorder, anger, losses of time and money, and promotion of customary methods of dispute resolution were revealed as impacts of delayed proceedings.