Rule of Law for development

Rule of law means that rulers don't rule―laws do. Rule of law is fundamental to a modern governance system. A predictable legal system with fair, accessible, and effective judicial institutions is essential for the protection of citizens against the arbitrary use of state authority or lawless acts by others. It also supports economic growth by ensuring a reliable, stable, and predictable system of laws and regulations that can protect investments, contracts, and other business interactions.

In many developing countries, weak legal institutions and the lack of rule of law endanger development and contribute to poverty. Further, the legal exclusion of the world's poor―who have little access to legal protection of their rights or livelihoods―perpetuates poverty throughout the developing world.

Universal goal in this area is to ensure that just laws and independent, as well as effective, legal, judicial, and enforcement institutions contribute to greater security of the individual, to economic development, to environmental protection, and to social justice. Global assistance will encompass support for legal/judicial reform with a focus on institutions, including strengthening the judiciary, bar associations, and legal aid systems.