The annual Rule of Law Index of the World Justice Project is now available [WJP Rule of Law Index (worldjusticeproject.org)].[i]  Earlier this year I made a lengthy blog post outlining the importance of the Rule of Law, provided details about how the Rule of Law Index is calculated, and the 2022 findings (see The Rule of Law, Index, and You – Court Leader and ROLI = Rule of Law Initiative (not Index) – Court Leader.  Now that the 2023 Index is out, an update is in order.

Unfortunately, the overall picture is not good.  Here are some key findings:

  • Between 2022 and 2023, the Rule of Law once again weakened in a majority of countries:  82 countries declined, 58 improved.  Over six billion people live in a country where the Rule of Law is declining.
  • In two out of three countries civil justice systems weakened last year.  Between 2022 and 2023, civil justice scores around the world fell due to longer delays, weaker enforcement, and declining access and affordability.
  • Human rights declined in 3 out of 4 countries since the global rule of law recession began in 2016.

When I investigated how my country, the United States, performed I was disappointed because the U.S. is one of the countries whose rating declined [WJP Rule of Law Index | United States Insights (worldjusticeproject.org)].  The U.S. global ranking remained 26th out of 142 countries (Denmark remained in first place).

Worldwide and in the U.S., we can and must do better.  In that regard, on November 15 the World Justice Project presented an excellent online “Briefing on the Rule of Law in the United States.”  Part of the briefing highlighted efforts to improve the Rule of Law.  For example, the American Bar Association has made this a priority with its Task Force on American Democracy [ABA Task Force for American Democracy (americanbar.org)]. The Task Force has many subsidiary programs, such as improving civics education via its Cornerstones of Democracy program and sponsoring Law Day each year (the 2024 theme is “Voices of Democracy”).  I encourage you to explore all of the ABA’s efforts and see how you might either participate or leverage them where you live.  For example, partner with local colleges and schools to improve civics education and engagement.

In my previous Rule of Law blog post I finished with more advice on what each of us can do to improve the Rule of Law.  An updated version follows.

I encourage you to look up your own country to see how it is doing overall and in each of the eight assessment factor areas. After familiarizing yourself with your nation’s situation, the next step is to firmly commit to taking action to support the Rule of Law locally.  If you are in a nation that is already doing well, the goal is to keep that high ranking (although there are undoubtedly some areas that can be improved).  If your nation is lower down in the rankings, focus on the factors that need improvement.  What actions can you and your organization do to improve the Rule of Law?  The phrase, “think globally, act locally” comes to mind.

A great way to take action is to apply court performance standards:

As with most efforts, start small and concentrate on one or two areas for improvement.  Then, build on that success and expand to other areas.

Another way to take action is to join and participate in court administration associations in order to stay informed and network with other court professionals.  By seeing and understanding what others are doing, you will gain insights into current methods to improve; who knows, you may be able to share your court’s best practices with your peers.   If you are not already a member, consider:

Finally, the World Justice Project has wonderful resources, such as:

  • Program library (reference sources, videos, slide decks)
  • Events (such as the November briefing)
  • U.S. Rule of Law Toolkit
  • Regional and country-level reports

All of us involved in judicial administration have a responsibility to achieve excellence in our work to fulfill the public’s trust in us as public servants.  Doing our best to achieve the highest level of the Rule of Law goes a long way to making that happen.  I urge everyone to make supporting the Rule of Law a primary professional goal.  The world will be a better place if you do.

[i] The World Justice Project keeps me informed of its excellent work with periodic emails.  Subscribe at Email Sign Up | World Justice Project.

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Published by Norman Meyer

After 38 years as a trial court administrator in the state and federal courts in the U.S., Norman continues to write, teach, and otherwise participate in judicial administration activities world-wide. In particular, he is active in the International Association for Court Administration (IACA) as a past Regional Vice President and Advisory Board member, in the National Association for Court Management (NACM) as a Past President (having received NACM's Award of Merit), and as an Associate of the Justice Speakers Institute. Norman has extensive experience working on international Rule of Law projects, particularly in the Russian Federation, Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Albania. Norman is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of New Mexico (Political Science and Russian Studies), and he received the Master of Science in Judicial Administration from the University of Denver College of Law.

2 thoughts on “Rule of Law Index – 2023 Update”

  1. My hunch is that these rule of law index measures reflect not only the actual state of affairs but also the skill disguising systemic abuses. See my recent post.

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  2. Pingback: 2025 WJP Rule of Law Index – Court Leader

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