TSV
Types of Judicial Systems - TSV
Judicial systems are classified into three-tier system (hierarchical structure), jury system (independent fact-finding by citizens), and lay judge system (collaborative trial between citizens and professional judges). Japan adopts a three-tier system and introduced the saiban-in (lay judge) system in 2009, which is an intermediate system between jury and lay judge systems. These systems are designed to balance democratization of justice with professional expertise.
judicial system
saiban-in system
three-tier system
jury system
lay judge system
criminal trial
citizen participation
code slug name description courts_firstInstance courts_secondInstance courts_thirdInstance keyFeatures representativeCountries applicableCases introducedYear panelComposition_layJudges panelComposition_professionalJudges
three-tier three-tier-system Three-Tier Judicial System A judicial system with three levels of courts: first instance, second instance, and final appeal. Summary Courts, Family Courts, District Courts High Courts Supreme Court
jury jury-system Jury System A system where citizens (jurors) are responsible only for fact-finding and deliberate independently, separate from professional judges. Jurors independently determine facts, separation from professional judges (dual system), one case-one selection ["United States","United Kingdom"]
lay-judge lay-judge-system Lay Judge System A system where citizens (lay judges) and professional judges conduct trials together, jointly deciding from fact-finding to sentencing. Collaborative trial between judges and lay judges, joint participation in fact-finding and sentencing, fixed-term appointments ["Germany","France","Italy"]
saiban-in saiban-in-system Saiban-in (Lay Judge) System A citizen participation system introduced in Japan in 2009, intermediate between jury and lay judge systems. One case-one selection (jury-like), collaborative trial (lay judge-like), joint participation in fact-finding and sentencing Crimes punishable by death or life imprisonment, crimes causing death through intentional criminal acts 2009 6 3