The relationship between the people and the judiciary is a complex and seemingly contradictory phenomenon.

In a democratic system, the judiciary serves the public interest, but does not directly reflect public sentiments. The judiciary fulfills its role in achieving the aspirations of the people as a collective political entity; However, at the same time it is distanced from the attitudes and influences of the masses. In this sense, it is a people's institution, although not a populist one.

The judiciary does not acquire its power through elections and it cannot respond to public discontent or a crisis of confidence with early elections.

The presented article by Sopo Verdzeuli discusses the aspects of legitimacy and trust, their forms and elements. The article tries to answer the question - what is the basis of the power of the judiciary in a democratic system and what threat does the crisis of trust and legitimacy pose to it.

This document has been prepared in the framework of the project "Support the independent and fair judiciary" which is implemented by Social Justice Center with the financial support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of Social Justice Center. The information and assessments provided in the document do not necessarily reflect the views of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Georgia.