Social Architecture and the Law

12 Pages Posted: 20 Jun 2012

See all articles by Lorin Geitner

Lorin Geitner

Claremont Graduate University

Date Written: January 2012

Abstract

The reputation of American attorneys and of the American justice system has been steadily declining over the last 50 years. Two reasons for this are the loss of civility in the practice of law, and a shifting public understanding of our status from a learned profession to, now, beings Mostly regarded as little more than involved a specialized kind of business.

The models of how to make well-structured comparison, and how to examine ritual space, borrowed from religious scholarship, as applied to a closely related legal system, notable for its degree of civility and popular perception as a profession — Great Britain — may illuminate how to address these two problems.

Seven enumerated differences between American and British trial craft help foster a greater appearance of civility. The tradition British barrister’s distinctive raiment distinguishes them from laypersons and reinforce status as a learned profession.

Keywords: declining reputation of legal profession, comparative law, British courtroom procedures

Suggested Citation

Geitner, Lorin C., Social Architecture and the Law (January 2012). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2088516 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2088516

Lorin C. Geitner (Contact Author)

Claremont Graduate University ( email )

150 E. Tenth Street
Claremont, CA 91711
United States
714-628-2536 (Phone)
714-628-2560 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.chapman.edu/law/library/staff/geitner.asp

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