CLA News / LexisNexis Global Foundation to Advance the Rule of Law
I am delighted to have this opportunity to share with the membership, news on the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation, a not-for-profit entity established to further achieve the LexisNexis Legal & Professional mission to advance the rule of law around the world. This new public charity, dedicated to engaging in Rule of Law projects across the globe, will enable leading entities from the legal, judicial, academic, NGO and other sectors to support and implement projects that address one or more of the four rule of law components: equal treatment under the law, transparency of the law, access to legal remedy, and independent judiciaries.
LexisNexis has been strongly committed to advancing the Rule of Law though projects such as the United Nations Global Compact’s Business for the Rule of Law Framework (B4ROL), United Nations Global Compact’s Business for the Rule of Law Framework (B4ROL), the International Bar Association eyeWitness to Atrocities app, eyeWitness to Atrocities app, and the LexisNexis Rule of Law Impact Tracker, (recently updated with 2019 data), https://www.lexisnexis.com/en-us/rule-of-law/measuring-the-rule-of-law.page
Our Rule of Law efforts also include partnering with the Commonwealth Lawyers Association in 2013 to establish the CLA/LexisNexis Rule of Law Award, to honor an individual or organization for their commitment to advancing the Rule of Law. It was a privilege and pleasure to participate in the award presentation with the CLA leadership at the 2019 Commonwealth Law Conference in Zambia, to honor Ms. Ambiga Sreenevasan, a former President of the Malaysian Bar, for her significant contribution to the Rule of Law in upholding the key principles of accountability, and equality under the law.
In 2017, LexisNexis received the Corporate Leadership Award from Freedom House and its Global Legal Department won the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Award for advancements in the rule of law. The establishment of the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation is an extension of its commitment to build legal infrastructures and solve deep-rooted problems in holistic ways that will achieve more robust outcomes and advance the rule of law.
“Rule of law is foundational to the development of peaceful, equitable and prosperous societies,” says Mike Walsh, CEO, LexisNexis Legal & Professional. “Data from the LexisNexis Rule of Law Impact Tracker shows that when the rule of law is strong in a country, other positive social and economic factors within the country are also strong. It is our hope the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation will provide the necessary resources and support to shed light on emerging issues critical to advancing the rule of law around the world.”
To help accomplish this, the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation will include collaborations with organizations (that we hope will include the CLA) to help increase awareness and understanding of the rule of law. LexisNexis announced the Foundation’s first partnership with The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN), an international association of journalism organizations that support the training and sharing of information among investigative and data journalists – even in repressive regimes and marginalized communities.
LexisNexis will offer GIJN members access to one of the world’s largest electronic databases and analytic tools for legal, public-records, news and business information.
Pictured left to right: LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation VP and Secretary, Nigel Roberts; President Ian McDougall; and VP and Treasurer, Terry Jennings
“We’re thrilled to partner with The Global Investigative Journalism Network, The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN), and provide their journalists with access to the most comprehensive set of information tools at a discounted rate. More than half of the world’s population lives outside the shelter of the law, struggling for basic human rights. Each of us shares responsibility to bring this percentage down to zero, ensuring vulnerable and disadvantaged populations receive equal treatment within criminal and civil justice systems. Working together with GIJN will allow us to build greater awareness of the rule of law and strengthen watchdog reporting around the world,” says Ian McDougall, President of the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation.
To learn more about the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation, click here.
Cover photo is LexisNexis Rule of Law Award winner, Ambiga Sreenevasan receiving her award at the 2019 Commonwealth Law Conference. LexisNexis are also sponsoring the forthcoming Rule of Law Award that will be announced at CLC2021. Please find more information here.
