Survey reveals significant gap across 64 countries between commitment to the rule of law and its implementation

The International Bar Association (IBA) released a new report revealing a pronounced disconnect between the weight that legal professionals place on core rule‑of‑law principles and their perception of how well those principles are applied in practice. According to the study, while lawyers consistently rank the rule of law as a foundational element of a functioning legal system, they rate its real‑world implementation as markedly weaker.

The report surveyed more than 1,200 attorneys from 45 jurisdictions, asking them to evaluate the importance of key rule‑of‑law tenets—such as independence of the judiciary, equality before the law, and transparency of legal processes—and to assess the degree to which these tenets are upheld in their respective legal systems. Respondents noted that, although they view these principles as essential, they frequently encounter obstacles such as political interference, inadequate enforcement mechanisms, and limited access to justice that undermine effective implementation.

The IBA’s findings underscore a growing concern within the legal profession that the ideals of the rule of law are not being fully realized. The association calls for targeted reforms and increased international cooperation to bridge the gap between principle and practice, emphasizing that strengthening the rule of law is essential for maintaining public confidence in legal institutions.