Panel effects beyond outcomes: Gender and judicial efficiency

Research indicates that female judges generate panel effects, meaning that diverse judicial decision-making bodies decide cases differently, compared to an all male decision-making body. This article turns to investigate whether more diverse judicial decision-making bodies may improve efficiency. By analyzing over 5,000 court decisions from the Court of Justice of the European Union, I demonstrate that cases adjudicated by panels of judges with at least one woman experience a reduction in overall resolution time. Furthermore, I reveal that when female case managers collaborate with women, the time required to finalize cases also decreases.