The concept of ‘real legal certainty’ provides a much needed corrective to the general attention for legal certainty in this day and age. It emphasises relations between citizens, adds socio-legal insight, provides a ‘view from below,’ and thus leads to more realistic insights on how to build state institutions. The concept was introduced by Leiden University’s professor of Law and Governance in Developing countries Jan Michiel Otto, and can be considered a central pillar of his work.

Against the backdrop of an ever-increasing interest in ‘legal certainty’ in policy-making and academia, friends and colleagues of Jan Michiel Otto engage with the concept provide a wide variety of examples of its relevance. Drawing on case material from all over the world, they show how real legal certainty can be understood in a bottom-up manner and how it is relevant for building state institutions. They also show how the concept can gain in relevance by taking into account actors other than the state. In all, the edited volume is important reading for all whom share professor Otto’s interest in what it takes to bridge law in the books and law in action...

De rechter staat tegenwoordig zeer in de belangstelling. Er gaat nauwelijks een dag voorbij zonder aandacht in de media voor rechterlijke uitspraken in grote zaken, over bijvoorbeeld klimaat, asiel, internationale conflicten of de strafrechtelijke vervolging van politici. Ook wordt veel gesproken over de rol van de rechter in ‘kleine’ zaken, denk hierbij aan huurproblemen, schulden, minder ernstige vormen van criminaliteit en overlast. Steeds vaker probeert de rechter niet alleen het juri...