ABSTRACT
Criminal justice systems around the globe are challenged to ensure greater ‘efficiency.’ Yet, most international literature on the nature and implications of the contemporary move towards ‘efficiency’ in criminal justice originates from Anglo-Saxon jurisdictions. Relatively little is written (in English) about how the move towards greater ‘efficiency’ shapes criminal legal systems of non-English speaking jurisdictions, and how it interacts with aspects of their legal cultures. This chapter synthesises the accounts of managerialist or efficiency-driven reforms from countries with different (and diverse) legal and political traditions, namely, France, the Netherlands, Greece, China, England and Wales and Scotland. It describes the impacts of managerialisation on the professional cultures and practices of criminal justice actors including: prosecutors, judges, defence lawyers and victim support services. The chapter concludes with reflections and suggestions for further research.
