The Heroes of the Judicial Periphery: Court Experts, Court Clerks, and Other Actors in the Shadows

This book assesses the role of court experts, court clerks and court staff, and other actors on the ‘judicial periphery’ who play an important role and often co-determine the pace, outcome, and tone of the judicial process. In national civil justice systems, the limelight is all too often cast on the main actors: judges, lawyers, and parties but the court's support staff can sometimes be overlooked.This book explores their role. The knowledge and skills of experts may be indispensable at times, but it is among the most expensive, complicated and time-consuming means of evidence.The judges adjudicate, but where experts are involved in the process, they have a decisive impact on the outcome of litigation.Therefore, a principal focus of the book is on experts and how they are appointed, managed, and remunerated across Europe and the world. Other ancillary professions may also be decisive for effective provision of court services.Different jurisdictions have different rules and habits, but