A new online legal directory has been launched that allows users to rate US judges.
To use Gaveling, you first select a US state, and then choose either a judge by name or by a court.
Gaveling allows users to rate judges on four criteria:
- If the judge is on time or not
- If the judge is strict or lenient
- If the judge is plaintiff-friendly, defendant-friendly or neutral
- An “overall” score
You can also leave comments and “feedback” for judges.
Attorneys, witnesses, parties, and laypersons can remark on the characteristics of a judge, such as whether the judge appears to be ethical, whether the judge can listen and communicate, the judge’s impartiality, and the judge’s ability to manage a caseload.
According to the creator of the site:
“Gaveling creates a new much-needed level of transparency in the court system. This new level of transparency helps parties, witnesses, attorneys, and voters recognize which judges are good and which ones are not. It gives a voice to those who were previously voiceless and promotes the spread of information and judicial accountability.
Gaveling also provides invaluable information to attorneys. Knowing whether a judge tends to favor one side over the other, or tends to pressure parties into settling, or is always over an hour late to the bench can help attorneys advise their clients and present their cases appropriately.”
The site is currently available via website, but a mobile app is in the works.
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