Civil Dialogue
— A Blog —Explore information and facts about law, the judiciary, courts, and the rule of law through blog posts written by staff, student fellows, and friends of the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law.
The Constitution That Changed the World — and Why Its Influence May Be Fading
A look at how the U.S. Constitution shaped constitutional systems worldwide and why its influence may be declining in modern democracies.
Latest Posts
Essay: “Participatory Democracy in Action” by David F. Levi
In an essay for NYU’s Democracy Project, David F. Levi, a former federal judge and director emeritus of the Bolch Judicial Institute, reflects on his role mediating a dispute over the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant permit in New Mexico. Over four days, citizen groups,...
Jurists and Lawyers Revisit First Principles at Inaugural Santa Fe Seminar
Pictured Above (from left to right): the Hon. Kimberly Mueller, incoming Bolch Judicial Institute director and senior California U.S. district judge; the Hon. Paul Grimm, outgoing director of the Bolch Judicial Institute and retired Maryland U.S. district judge;...
How a U.S. Government Shutdown Impacts Courts & Access to Justice
With less funding under a government shutdown, courts may delay cases, reduce operating hours, and suspend certain court functions. It’s also unique to the United States.
The Constitution Project’s Civic Documentaries Offer Engaging Lessons to Students
It can be difficult for students to grasp the meaning of the Constitution from the dense pages of a textbook. The Constitution Project aims to change that.