Written by Danny Foster The World Justice Project recently published their annual Rule of Law Index, a comprehensive study of the rule of law in 99 countries. The fourth annual index compares countries in areas such as the absence of corruption, openness of government, and protection of fundamental human rights. Intended for policy makers, academics, and anyone going through post-Olympics international-competition withdrawal, the index provides a comprehensive empirical data set driven by surveys of over 100,000 households and legal professionals. The verdict: America's failure to provide access to justice seriously harms the rule of law here. The results are in—so how did team USA perform? The index found that, overall, the United States successfully provides its citizens the myriad facets of the rule of law. The index praises our “well-functioning system of checks and balances,” and strong protection of fundamental rights. Compared to the other 99 countries surveyed, the US ranked a respectable 19th overall, putting us on par with France and Uruguay. The performance of America’s civil justice system as a whole was merely adequate: the US is slightly above the global average, ranking 27th out of 99. That puts us in the same neighborhood as Botswana, Slovenia, Chile and Greece. While not awful, this is hardly the sort of quality Americans expect and deserve from their legal system.
But the US underperforms—spectacularly so—in providing affordable and accessible civil justice. In that sub-category, we were ranked 65th out of 99 globally. For reference, that puts us in a four-way tie with Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uganda. The index notes that, “Civil legal assistance is frequently expensive or unavailable, and the gap between rich and poor individuals in terms of both actual use of and satisfaction with the court system is significant.” Among our regional group (covering North America and the Eurozone), the US was ranked last. That’s behind Bulgaria, for those of you keeping score. (Though we did perform better than Mexico, which was placed in the Latin American regional group.) And among other high-income countries, we're 29th out of 30, ahead of only the United Arab Emirates. Readers of this blog know that the lack of access to civil justice is an ongoing crisis for low and middle income Americans, but still the comparison is shocking. Most Americans would hardly consider these countries our peer group, but the fact is that when faced with a civil dispute, any non-wealthy American might as well live in Kyrgyzstan. But hey, it’s not all bad: our civil legal system is (barely) more accessible and affordable than Egypt’s is! The take-away from all this is that the high cost (or plain unavailability) of civil legal assistance in the USA has created a crisis in access to justice whose depth would surprise most Americans. The US Olympic team could hardly be expected to succeed using wooden skis in this era of Kevlar and carbon fiber, and the US justice system is failing because it is stuck in the last century. There are many changes needed to bring civil justice within reach of all Americans, but they share a common thread: We need to enable innovation in the legal services industry. We should allow outside investment, allow multistate lawyers, and allow à la carte legal services--allow some alternative to the archaic guild structure. Innovation could revolutionize the supply of legal services, and pass the savings to consumers. Other countries have embraced (or at least avoided preventing) these innovations, and they are better for it. There’s no medal for access to justice, but it’s something we all deserve. Danny Foster is a Responsive Law intern.
11 Comments
1/31/2024 09:16:12 am
This article sheds light on the concerning issue of access to justice in the United States as highlighted in the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index. It paints a clear picture of the challenges faced by low and middle-income Americans in accessing affordable civil legal assistance. The comparison with other countries, even those not typically seen as peers, is indeed shocking. The call for innovation in the legal services industry to make legal assistance more accessible and affordable resonates strongly. The article effectively communicates the urgency of addressing this access to justice crisis and makes readers realize that it's a fundamental right all Americans deserve. Excellent job!
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2/15/2024 08:26:03 pm
This piece highlights the pressing problem of justice accessibility in the United States, as underscored by the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index. It vividly outlines the difficulties that Americans with low and middle incomes encounter when seeking affordable civil legal help. The stark contrast drawn with other nations, some of which are not usually considered comparable, is quite startling. There's a strong emphasis on the need for innovation within the legal sector to make legal support more accessible and cost-effective. The article successfully conveys the critical need to tackle the access to justice crisis, reminding readers that access to justice is a basic right that should be available to all Americans. Great work!
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2/19/2024 11:54:16 pm
Danny Foster's article sheds light on a critical issue often overlooked: the accessibility and affordability of civil justice in America. Through compelling comparisons and data from the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index, Foster effectively illustrates the shortcomings of the current legal services marketplace in the United States. The ranking of 65th globally in providing affordable and accessible civil justice is alarming, highlighting the urgent need for reform. Foster's call for innovation in the legal industry resonates deeply, emphasizing the importance of enabling change to ensure justice is within reach for all Americans. This article has not only broadened my understanding of the challenges within the legal system but has also ignited a sense of urgency in addressing these issues. Excellent job in raising awareness and advocating for change!
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3/19/2024 10:57:59 pm
Danny Foster's article on the World Justice Report's findings about America's legal services marketplace is eye-opening and thought-provoking. It sheds light on the stark reality that many Americans face when seeking civil legal assistance—a reality where affordability and accessibility are sorely lacking. Foster's comparison of the US legal system's performance to that of other countries, particularly in terms of access to justice, is both enlightening and concerning. His call for innovation in the legal services industry to address this crisis resonates deeply, highlighting the urgent need for change. This article has helped me understand the depth of the issue and the necessity for reform to ensure that all Americans have equal access to justice. Well done!
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3/31/2024 10:43:35 pm
This article is eye-opening and thought-provoking, revealing the stark reality of America's legal services marketplace. It's disheartening to learn that despite being a global leader in many aspects, the United States falls short when it comes to providing affordable and accessible civil justice. The comparison to other countries, especially those we wouldn't consider our peers, sheds light on the urgent need for change. The call for innovation in the legal services industry is compelling, offering hope for a future where justice is truly within reach for all Americans. This article has not only helped me understand the depth of the access to justice crisis but has also inspired me to advocate for necessary reforms in our legal system. Excellent job on bringing attention to such an important issue!
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4/7/2024 08:24:03 am
Danny Foster's article brings attention to a pressing issue often overlooked: the accessibility and affordability of civil justice in the United States. Through compelling comparisons and data sourced from the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index, Foster effectively illustrates the deficiencies of the current legal services landscape in the country. The nation's 65th global ranking in providing affordable and accessible civil justice is concerning, underscoring the immediate need for reform. Foster's plea for innovation in the legal sector strikes a chord, stressing the importance of facilitating change to ensure that justice is attainable for all Americans. This article not only deepens my comprehension of the hurdles within the legal system but also sparks a sense of urgency in addressing these challenges. Remarkable effort in raising awareness and advocating for transformative change!
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4/10/2024 08:48:49 am
Danny Foster's article brings attention to a pressing issue often overlooked: the accessibility and affordability of civil justice in the United States. Through compelling comparisons and data sourced from the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index, Foster effectively illustrates the deficiencies of the current legal services landscape in the country. The nation's 65th rank globally in providing affordable and accessible civil justice serves as a stark wake-up call, underscoring the imperative for reform. Foster's plea for innovation in the legal sector strikes a chord, emphasizing the necessity of facilitating transformation to ensure that justice is attainable for all Americans. This article not only enriches my comprehension of the challenges within the legal framework but also ignites a sense of urgency in addressing these issues. Kudos for raising awareness and advocating for change!
Reply
4/17/2024 02:47:43 am
Danny Foster's article brings attention to a pressing issue often overlooked: the accessibility and affordability of civil justice in the United States. Through compelling comparisons and data sourced from the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index, Foster effectively illustrates the deficiencies of the current legal services landscape in the country. The nation's 65th rank globally in providing affordable and accessible civil justice serves as a stark wake-up call, underscoring the imperative for reform. Foster's plea for innovation in the legal sector strikes a chord, emphasizing the necessity of facilitating transformation to ensure that justice is attainable for all Americans. This article not only enriches my comprehension of the challenges within the legal framework but also ignites a sense of urgency in addressing these issues. Kudos for raising awareness and advocating for change!
Reply
6/19/2024 08:43:56 am
This article about America's legal services marketplace is eye-opening! It shows how important it is for everyone to have fair access to legal help, no matter how much money they have. I didn't realize before reading this how much the cost of legal services can affect justice. It's shocking to see that the US is ranked so low in affordability and accessibility compared to other countries. The article explains well why it's crucial for our legal system to change and become more innovative, so everyone can afford to get the help they need. It makes me think about how we can make our legal system better and fairer for everyone. Great job explaining such an important issue in a way that's easy to understand!
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9/6/2024 02:13:22 am
This article really opened my eyes to how big a problem access to legal services is in the United States. I was shocked to learn that, despite our country's strengths in other areas, we rank so poorly when it comes to providing affordable legal help. It's frustrating to think that many Americans, especially those with lower incomes, face such huge barriers to justice. The comparison to countries like Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan really put things into perspective for me. I appreciate how this article highlights the need for change and innovation in our legal system to make justice accessible for everyone. Great job on making this complex issue so clear and urgent!
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11/7/2024 06:46:16 am
This article really made me think about how unfair the legal system is in the U.S., especially when it comes to people who can’t afford a lawyer. I had no idea that America ranks so low in providing affordable legal services—65th out of 99 countries! That’s shocking and upsetting because everyone should have access to justice, no matter their income. It’s clear that something needs to change, and I agree with the article that we need to find ways to make legal help more affordable and accessible, like allowing more innovation in the legal industry. The comparison to other countries made me realize just how far behind we are, and it made me even more passionate about making sure everyone has a fair chance in the justice system. This article did an amazing job of showing why this issue is so important.
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