Cultural Expertise

Abstract

Starting from the evolution of jurisdictions vis-à-vis European and international law, and the challenges of globalization and immigration, this contribution focuses on the concept and different declinations of multiculturalism, and on the role of social sciences, including anthropology, in treating and adjudicating judicial cases, in particular, from the perspective of the Italian judiciary. As the cultural issue is an aspect that is frequently at stake in judicial decisions, the use of cultural expertise in trials is addressed both through cases which have benefited from it and by examining the substantial and procedural aspects that need to be considered.