Constitutional Transitions, in cooperation with Democracy Reporting International (DRI), presents two Working Papers:
- “Working Paper: Constitutional Review in New Democracies” asks key questions about designing a constitutional court. Using examples from constitutional courts around the world, it identifies the core issues that policymakers will need to address when creating a new court. It emphasizes the role of constitutional review in legitimizing new democracies, especially on the constitutionality of legislation and government action.
- “Working Paper: International Standards for the Independence of the Judiciary” highlights the essential functions of an independent judiciary in a constitutional democracy. Drawing on a combination of both hard and soft sources of international law, the paper reveals a definition of judicial independence that can be met in various legal and constitutional contexts, while allowing courts to protect human rights, secure the rule of law, and ensure the principles of a constitutional democracy.