Chinese judicial personnel’s attitudes toward courtroom injustice: The interplay of gender and professional role

Abstract

Purpose

The past decades have witnessed growing concerns regarding the interaction between judicial officials and parties to the proceedings in China. Despite these observed dynamics, limited research has documented judicial personnel’s perceptions of courtroom injustice towards parties to the proceedings. Similarly, little is known about court-supporting staff’s occupational attitudes and behaviour. This study addresses these knowledge gaps by exploring how courtroom personnel’s key background characteristics and perceived internal and external work environments relate to their occupational outlooks.

Methods

Using survey data collected from 485 judges and 258 judge assistants in a coastal province in China, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was employed to examine the relationships between court personnel’s gender, professional role, institutional justice, and user and media influences, and their perceptions regarding courtroom injustice.

Results

Regression analyses reveal gender differences among judicial personnel, with females reporting lower levels of courtroom injustice than males. Compared to judge assistants, judges tend to report lower levels of courtroom injustice. In addition, the perception of supervisor justice is negatively associated with perceived courtroom injustice, whereas pressure from parties to the proceedings is positively linked to higher levels of perceived courtroom injustice.

Conclusions

Gender disparities in courtroom injustice indicate a need for fairer environments. Reforms should include targeted training, stricter discipline, procedural transparency, and professional development to reduce bias and enhance judicial professionalism, supporting China’s judicial reforms for greater transparency and public trust.