ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the contribution offered by the various types of lay and expert adjudication. It examines the expertise of professional judges, followed by a discussion of the types of knowledge that lay people may introduce into the system. Professional judges can primarily be characterized by their formal training. They possess an academic degree in law and in most countries judges receive additional training beyond that. Two important characteristics of judges in advanced legal systems are their independence and their impartiality. The training of judges pays substantial attention to the development of this professional judicial attitude. Judges are independent of the legislative and executive bodies. Another area of judicial expertise is the experience gained as a result of involvement in the administration of justice. The chapter ends with a graphic representation of the various types of involvement of professionals, lay people and experts in the jurisdictions.
