Accuracy, gender and race in tort trials : a (behavioral) law and economics perspective

This thesis contributes to various streams of literature in the behavioral law and economics of tort law and judicial decisionmaking. Each chapter addresses a selected topic in this area from either a theoretical or an empirical perspective. The overarching theme of the thesis is the study of the interplay between accuracy and behavioral law and economics. The analysis reveals that, if carefully considered, behavioral law and economics can have an important role in policymaking as it sometimes allows to better predict: i) the effect of legal rules and courts’ practices on the behavior of regulatees; ii) how legal rules will be enforced by courts. The analysis shows also that the pursue of accuracy at trial does not necessarily lead to welfare improvements.