Public Engagement in Judicial Processes: Communication Strategies

Mutoni Uwase N.

Faculty of Business and Management Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

Public engagement in judicial processes is a critical element in strengthening trust, transparency, and legitimacy within democratic systems. Traditionally, judicial institutions have maintained a distance from the public, reinforcing the perception of courts as opaque and inaccessible. However, increased societal demand for accountability has prompted the judiciary to adopt proactive communication strategies. This paper examines the evolving role of public engagement in judicial decision-making, emphasizing communication as both a tool and a challenge. Drawing from historical context, media influence, policy innovations, and comparative case studies, the paper identifies key strategies for judicial systems to communicate effectively with the public while safeguarding impartiality and procedural integrity. It also explores barriers such as institutional conservatism, media sensationalism, digital risks, and ethical dilemmas. Using evaluative frameworks adapted from global development standards, the study assesses the sustainability and effectiveness of engagement practices. Finally, it proposes recommendations for future judicial-public interaction that strike a balance between transparency and the preservation of judicial independence.

Keywords: Judicial transparency, public engagement, communication strategies, media and law, legal ethics, judicial legitimacy, public trust, civic education.

CITE AS: Mutoni Uwase N. (2025). Public Engagement in Judicial Processes: Communication Strategies. IDOSR JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION AND ENGLISH 10(1):39-44. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSR/JCE/101.3944.20250000