Pro Bono for the Rule of Law

Pro Publico facilitated a collaboration between the World Justice Project (WJP) and top-tier law firms to support the creation of an index on rule of law and governance: this partnership is driving data collection that will inform both EU and global assessments of governance, enabling stakeholders to strengthen justice systems and transparency efforts.

Strengthening Rule of Law Through Data-Driven Insights

The rule of law is fundamental to upholding justice and good governance. To identify areas for improvement, the WJP created the global WJP Rule of Law Index 15 years ago, and now it is launching a major new initiative: World Justice Project EUROVOICES. These projects assess the strengths and weaknesses of justice systems, governance and public accountability across 142 countries worldwide and, now, 110 subnational regions of all 27 EU Member States. By mapping a wide variety of rule of law indicators, WJP aims to equip policymakers, civil society and the public with a clearer understanding of how to strengthen democratic values and safeguard the rule of law.

WJP: Promoting Justice and Accountability Worldwide

The World Justice Project is an independent, multidisciplinary nonprofit organisation dedicated to advancing the rule of law globally. Through extensive research, WJP builds an evidence base that highlights the critical role of law and governance in society. The organisation’s work informs decision-makers, supports reforms and ultimately aims to create a world where justice and accountability are upheld for everyone. For these projects, WJP sought to gather qualified respondents for data collection in EU regions and globally.

Pro Bono Support for Impactful Data Collection

Recognizing the need for well-educated insights from practitioners on the ground, Pro Publico connected WJP with a series of international law firms which have distinguished themselves for their commitment to public service and excellence in legal practice. These firms responded by supporting the participation of their legal practitioners into the WJP initiative gathering valuable insights from professionals in specific fields across EU Member States and beyond.

Data Collection for the EU and Global Projects

In the EU, WJP developed subnational indicators to assess justice, governance and rule of law within 110 regions across 27 Member States. Data collection gathered responses from legal professionals who regularly engage with justice systems. Their insights span civil, criminal and governance topics. Globally, WJP’s Rule of Law Index also depends on the participation of practitioners and academics in diverse legal fields across 142 countries, aiming to identify trends and areas for improvement in public accountability and judicial efficacy.

Impact of Pro Bono Support on the Rule of Law Index

Through this collaboration, the law firms have amplified WJP’s ability to gather data that will strengthen the rule of law. Their outreach to networks of EU-based and global legal professionals has made it possible for WJP to achieve a broad geographic reach. This support is enabling WJP to collect reliable, people-centred indicators that will serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, aid organisations, CSOs and media worldwide. The WJP’s data is already a cornerstone in rule of law assessments used by institutions like the World Bank, Transparency International and numerous national governments.

As WJP’s Marta Basystiuk noted, “The pro bono support from these law firms has been invaluable, allowing us to collect the comprehensive data needed to make real, evidence-based recommendations for the future of justice in Europe and globally.”

For civil society organisations seeking support for high-impact projects, Pro Publico offers unparalleled matchmaking services. Contact us today to explore how we can connect your organisation with top-tier legal professionals committed to pro bono service.

Thanks to @Marta Basystiuk @Leslie Solis @Giacomo D’Urbano@ Erin Campbell @World Justice Project @Francesco Zatelli @ProPublico @ European Commission, @World Bank

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