Title: World Justice Project

Source/Sponsoring Agency: World Justice Project

URL: http://www.worldjusticeproject.org/

Date Checked: 3/17/2011      Status: Active

Date Annotated: 3/17/2011

Topics: Civil Rights; Foreign Law; Human Rights Law; International Law

Other keywords: Rule of law; Fundamental rights

Contents: The World Justice Project (WJP) is an independent, nonprofit organization that strives to strengthen the rule of law globally. Using a multinational and interdisciplinary approach, the WJP engages the expertise of governmental and nongovernmental leaders worldwide to strengthen the rule of law in their communities, for all socio-economic levels. The WJP defines the rule of law through four principles: government accountability; clear, publicized, stable and fair laws that protect fundamental rights; an accessible, fair and efficient process for enacting, administering and enforcing the laws; and competent, independent and ethical access to justice. The WJP’s main programs involve convening meetings on the rule of law (including their annual World Justice Forum which is prominently featured on their website), providing funding to outside organizations toward efforts to strengthen the rule of law, administering the Rule of Law Index, and supporting scholarship. The Rule of Law Index is a qualitative assessment tool that uses a strict methodology to document, analyze and organize information in a comprehensive format to be used by governments, businesses, and other organizations to implement positive change. It is available through a self-named tab at the top of the page. A list of links on the left side of the Index page provides access to country profiles, working papers, an audit of the project, and a detailed description of the 10 factors and 49 sub-factors that govern its analysis. The WJP’s primary publication is the Rule of Law Index Report. A Quarterly News Bulletin is also available; it features WJP events, developments and some outside resources and opportunities for those working to further the rule of law. The bulletin is archived back to 2009, and all publications are readily accessible through clearly labeled, stable tabs on the right side of the page. An additional “Multimedia” tab provides access to several photos and short videos that document the many activities of the WJP. This tab also links to an interactive Google world map that serves as an information exchange platform for rule of law promoters. The website as a whole is uncluttered and mostly focuses on promoting the Rule of Law Index and its contents. There is no search engine, but the simplicity of the site makes it easy to navigate the materials. The WJP’s focus is on the law and it does not take political positions.

Author of Annotation: A. Emerson