Courts are often idealized as impartial arbiters of justice and guardians of constitutional order, particularly in Western liberal democracies. However, in Asia—a region marked by diverse legal traditions, historical legacies, and political systems—judiciaries play varied and complex roles in governance. This special issue seeks to challenge Eurocentric assumptions about judicial independence, rights developments, and court functions by examining how courts in Asia navigate, shape, and are shaped by governance structures.
We invite original empirical research that explores the unique functions, constraints, and dynamics of courts across Asian jurisdictions. Contributions should critically engage with the political, historical, and socio-legal contexts that define judicial behavior, rights enforcement, and the broader rule of law in the region.
