The importance of the (inter)national rule of law for peace, fairness, and economic growth is generally acknowledged inside and outside the United Nations. However, there is mounting scepticism regarding the success of rule of law promotion by the UN and other international organizations and donors at the national and international levels during the past two decades.

While this scepticism is justified in some respects, it risks overlooking areas where innovations have been made, important insights have been gained, and tangible successes, fragile or more robust, have been achieved in the past 5-10 years.

This publication, produced by the WJP and the Hiil, aims to highlight some of these innovations and insights through a series of concise papers by key experts and organisations in the area of rule of law. Based on these papers we have also prepared a publication “Innovations in Rule of Law – Visions for Policy makers”, where summaries of the four sections and policy recommendations can be found.

The report thereby hopes to contribute to the debate in the UN General Assembly on 24 September, and to subsequent discussion and action by states, international organizations, governments and civil society.

EDITORS

Juan Carlos Botero; Ronald Janse; Sam Muller; and Christine Pratt

Section 1: Measuring the Rule of Law 

Authors: Juan Carlos Botero, Joel Martinez, Alejandro Ponce and Christine Pratt 
 
Authors: Todd Foglesong and Christopher Stone
 
Authors: Innocent Chukwuma and Eban Ebai 
 
Authors: Jim Parsons and Monica Thornton 
 
Section 2: The Nexus Between the National and International Rule of Law
 
Author: André Nollkaemper 
 
Author: Emilie Hunter 
 
Author: Michael Maya 
 
Section 3: Legal Empowerment and other Bottom Up Approaches to Rule of Law Promotion
 
Author: Stephen Golub 
 
Author: Roy L. Prosterman
 
Authors: Dubravka Bojic, Christopher Tanner, and Margret Vidar 
 
Author: Simeon Koroma 
 
Author: Maurits Barendrecht 
 
Authors: International Development Law Organization (IDLO) 
 
Author: Tilmann J. Röder 
 
Author: Joyce Hakmeh 
 
Section 4: Statebuilding and Rule of Law in Conflict-Affected and Fragile States
 
Authors: Luc van de Goor and Erwin van Veen 
 
Authors: International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) 
 
Author: Richard Zajac-Sannerholm 
 
 
To read the Executive Summary and go to the Volumes page, click here.
 
title bar

Read More

title bar
WJP Chief of Public Sector Partnerships Mark Lewis during his participation in the United Kingdom House of Lords Constitution Committee’s official inquiry into the rule of law

On July 2, 2025, the World Justice Project (WJP) was honored to participate in the United Kingdom House of Lords Constitution Committee’s official inquiry into the rule of law. This invitation followed WJP’s written submission and marked an invaluable opportunity to support evidence-based policymaking in the United Kingdom.

Read More

It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our founder and dear friend, William H. Neukom, known to all of us simply as Bill. Bill was the driving force behind the World Justice Project (WJP), and his absence leaves a profound void in the soul of our organization. His belief in justice was unwavering. His deep humanity and his remarkable gift for bringing people together—regardless of background or origin—shaped everything we do at WJP.

Read More
The Warsaw Principles for the Rule of Law

WARSAW, Poland – 26 June 26, 2025 – A global coalition of organizational leaders and justice advocates issued an urgent call to action today to reverse the worldwide decline in the rule of law, marked by the release of the Warsaw Principles at the conclusion of the 2025 World Justice Forum. The Warsaw Principles represent a unified front against rising authoritarian pressures and a framework for collective action to strengthen accountability.

Read More
Chief Justice Zondo accepts the World Justice Project Rule of Law Award

WARSAW, Poland – June 12, 2025 – Former South African Chief Justice Raymond Zondo was awarded the prestigious World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Award in recognition of his unwavering commitment to justice and his courageous efforts in exposing systemic corruption. The award was presented by WJP Board Vice President Judy Perry Martinez at the 2025 World Justice Forum, a global gathering of rule of law champions. Polish Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar, a prior recipient of the award in 2019, made accompanying remarks.

Read More