Research Jonathan Bernaerts

Abstract

The research agenda focuses on an overarching theme – communication by the judiciary – and the relationship between this communication on the one hand and trust in the judiciary and compliance with the law on the other. This overarching theme will be examined from both a legal and a socio-legal perspective. The goal of this research agenda is to gain a better understanding of judicial communication and its effects. The research questions will be addressed through five research projects: 1) socio-legal theory development on judicial communication; 2) an interdisciplinary doctoral project on the role of press judges and spokespersons for the judiciary in Belgium; 3) a legal comparison of press judges and spokespersons in the European Union; 4) a quantitative study on the effects of judicial communication; and 5) a project on language use in the judiciary.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bernaerts Jonathan
• Fellow: Bernaerts Jonathan

Research team(s)

• Government and Law

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The study is an evaluation study of the Flemish decree of 7 May 2004 on the material organisation and functioning of recognised religions. The project includes several research topics: the design, functioning and the embedding of councils of religion (eredienstbesturen); the financing model; and the administrative supervision of these council of religion; and possible alternative legal forms, other than the current public status of councils of religion. The study will include a legal analysis of the hurdles already identified, complemented by an internal and external legal comparison. Furthermore, key stakeholders will be heard and consulted.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bernaerts Jonathan
• Co-promoter: Vanheule Dirk

Research team(s)

• Government and Law

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Several fields, in which linguistic challenges generated by linguistic diversity occur, have received considerable attention in the scientific literature. Studies on the interactions between the administration and allophones3 within the current linguist diversity are however rather limited, despite the fact that several sources indicate that the existing language laws are experienced as difficult to implement in practice. The importance of the language used in these administrative contacts cannot be underestimated, as it has an influence on an individual's access to administrative services and the subsequent enjoyment of their rights, as well as on the functioning of these services. The aim of this research is to provide an empirical insight into this lesser researched field in the recent literature. This research project examines the existing practices and the formulated needs in interactions between allophones and local administrative services. It aims at providing an insider's perspective – from the point of view of both administrative authorities and allophones – on how the relevant actors are dealing with linguistic diversity and which tensions are generated between the applicable norms and the practice. Within this research the focus is on the Sorbian minority and Turkish speakers in Germany, as well as on French and Turkish speakers in the Dutch language area of Belgium. This selection encompasses (possible) 'old' and 'new' minorities, which currently enjoy a different legal protection. Germany has ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and recognizes the Sorbs as a minority, but not 'Turkish people'4. Belgium has not ratified the Framework Convention, given the difficulties with defining the concept of national minority in the Belgian context as well as with the legal obligations generated by the treaty. This research considers several administrative services, selected on the basis of criteria, such as the interfering side, the urgency of the interaction and the presence of a certain target group. This has led to the following selection of administrative services, namely disaster and emergency communication, municipal registration office, waste collection, emergency calls, local ombudsmen, and social services. The selection of municipalities, where the research was conducted, is based on the presence of persons belonging to the selected groups, previous language related incidents and the apparent language policy of local authorities.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Velaers Jan
• Fellow: Bernaerts Jonathan

Research team(s)

• Government and Law

Project type(s)

• Research Project