Can courts and judges be evaluated? Or are the ideals of justice incompatible with quality measurement? These questions are addressed by research into the experience of nine European countries. Issues of independence and accountability are analysed by examining the role of the courts as a branch of government that maintains legitimacy and authority as well as providing a public service. This appreciation broadens the conception of accountability, while highlighting that independence is but a means to the end of impartiality. The interests, values and traditions of the law, public management...

In addition to a strong theoretical framework and an innovative approach to European e-justice design, this book offers original material on the development of e-government systems and case studies based on a common methodology and theoretical framework.