The objectivity of Australian judicial decisions
Journal cover Comparative Legilinguistics, volume 67, year 2026
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Keywords

Judicial objectivity
cognitive grammar
judicial bias
objective textual interpretation

How to Cite

Fraser, E. (2026). The objectivity of Australian judicial decisions. Comparative Legilinguistics, 67, 314–351. https://doi.org/10.14746/cl.2026.67.7

Abstract

This essay reports on the cognitive grammar associated with the concept of judicial objectivity in Australia. The study analysed a sample of 100 cases. The evidence gathered shows that Australian judges share a set of grammar cognitive activities with British common law. However, over time, these cognitive practices diverged from the practices in contemporary Britain. The reason for such divergence is the object of much criticism by judges and academics. This essay is divided into three sections preceded by an introduction and followed by a conclusion. The introduction provides a theoretical overview of the debates across the concept of judicial objectivity. The methodology section explains how cases were selected and analysed. The text analysis is based on Ronald Langacker’s research on cognitive grammar and Stephen Levison’s examination on the pragmatics implications of texts. The third section analysed two groups of cognitive activities that Australian judges associated with the concept of objectivity.

https://doi.org/10.14746/cl.2026.67.7
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