Working Definition of the Rule of Law

The mission of the World Justice Project (WJP) is to lead a global, multidisciplinary effort to strengthen the rule of law for the development of communities of opportunity and equity.

The World Justice Project is based on two complementary premises:

* First, the rule of law is the foundation for communities of opportunity and equity; and
* Second, multidisciplinary collaboration is the most effective way to advance the rule of law

The WJP uses a working definition of the rule of law based on four universal principles:

1. The government and its officials and agents are accountable under the law.
2. The laws are clear, publicized, stable and fair, and protect fundamental rights, including the security of persons and property.
3. The process by which the laws are enacted, administered and enforced is accessible, fair and efficient.
4. Access to justice is provided by competent, independent, and ethical adjudicators, attorneys or representatives and judicial officers who are of sufficient number, have adequate resources, and reflect the makeup of the communities they serve.

A worldwide rule of law deficit undermines efforts to make societies safe, lift people from poverty and build economic prosperity, reduce corruption, improve public health and enhance education. The WJP taps into a broad recognition that the rule of law is essential to thriving communities and to the success of virtually all fields of endeavor.

The WJP is unique in its engagement of stakeholders from a variety of disciplines, and is building an active network of governmental and non-governmental leaders from 17 disciplinary fields, representing all socio-economic levels of society.

The work of the WJP consists of three complementary and mutually reinforcing program areas: Mainstreaming, Rule of Law Index and Scholarship

The World Justice Project was launched by the American Bar Association in 2006, but since then became an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with 21 global sponsoring organizations in the fields of human rights, labor, public health, business, and more.