New IBA survey shows gap between legal professionals commitment and rule of law implementation
The International Bar Association published a new report on September 16, 2026, detailing findings from a survey of legal professionals in more than 64 countries regarding the state of the rule of law.
Survey scope and participant details
The project gathered responses from 326 individuals working in diverse sectors including law firms, academia, and government. Participants included lawyers, judges, civil servants, and representatives from non-governmental organizations across the globe. The data collection took place between August and December 2025 to assess current conditions.
Findings on professional commitment versus practice
Results indicate a clear disconnect between how important legal experts consider fundamental principles to be and how well those principles function in reality. The report notes that this discrepancy exists across the sixty-four nations included in the analysis. Legal professionals believe these foundational concepts are vital, yet their practical assessment of implementation remains lower.
Global context for the report
These findings arrive as international observers note a continuing decline in the overall state of the rule of law worldwide. The International Bar Association Rule of Law Forum led this specific initiative to prevent further backsliding. Collaboration with the Bingham Centre and several university professors helped shape the final conclusions.
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