The main phase of data collection—conducting interviews with judges in Hungary, Romania, and Poland—has largely been completed. In Hungary, we have so far conducted twelve interviews, and in Romania, thirteen interviews, both in person and online. In Poland, thirteen interviews were conducted with judges across various sectors of the legal system, from regional and district courts to apex courts. Our interviewees across the three countries include judges from civil, administrative, and criminal court divisions, some of whom are still actively serving while others are retired. Judges from all levels of the judiciary are represented in our sample, from first instance courts, county courts, and tribunals, through courts of appeal, the high court, and even the constitutional court.
In all three countries, most respondents are based in the capitals; however, we have also interviewed judges working in regional areas. Interviews began in June 2022 (for Poland) October 2023 (for Romania and Hungary) and are ongoing, with final completion anticipated by the end of this year.
In Germany, interviews started in 2024; participants include representatives of associations of judges and other legal professionals, individual judges and transnational associations.
