Judicial perspectives of the ideological significance of gross national happiness to the judiciary: Ensuring fair trial to self-represented criminal defendants in Bhutan

Abstract

Abstract This article presents judicial perspectives on the relevance of Gross National Happiness (GNH) to the judiciary and its ideological significance in the specific context of ensuring fair trials to self-represented criminal defendants (SRCDs) and administering (criminal) justice in Bhutan. The article draws on the findings from semi-structured qualitative interviews with 16 Bhutanese Justices and Judges around the country. The findings suggest that GNH is judicially perceived as a legislated responsibility of the judiciary and an integral aspect of and highly influential on administering fair criminal justice to SRCDs in Bhutan. In practice, GNH as part of the judicial process can inspire a more humane and holistic approach to administering justice, contributing to fairer trials and more satisfied litigants, as well as more happiness in the justice sector.