Are We There Yet?: Measuring Success of Constitutional Reform

Like many other countries in the world, the United Kingdom has been modernizing its constitutional arrangements. But unlike all other countries, there is no codified, written constitution. Since 1997, that unwritten constitution has undergone a radical overhaul. Taken together, the changes to systems and institutions represent the most sustained program of reform in the United Kingdom for a century. The main question is whether these reforms were successful. What does success mean? As is well known, implementation is the key to success. So evaluating the reforms and discussing successes and challenges are not only important for the U.K. internal dialogue but also for other countries. As regionalism and globalization continue, the world is less compartmentalized, less segmented, and more interdependent than ever before. Today the rule of law and good governance are very much part of the development agenda. This article assists in providing a public account of how the reforms have come thus far and explain what constitutional reform is in the United Kingdom

Court Performance Around the World: A Comparative Perspective

Many countries around the world are undertaking legal and judicial reforms as part of their overall development programs. This has resulted from growing recognition that economic and social progress cannot sustainably be achieved without respect for the rule of law, democratic consolidation, and effective human rights protection;\u27 each of which requires a well-functioning judiciary that can interpret and enforce the laws equitably and efficiently. An effective judiciary is predictable, resolves cases in a reasonable time frame, and is accessible to the public. Many developing countries, however, find that their judiciaries advance inconsistent case law and carry a large backlog of cases, thus eroding individual and property rights, stifling private sector growth, and, in some cases, even violating human rights. Delays affect both the fairness and the efficiency of the judicial system; they impede the public\u27s access to the courts, which, in effect, weakens democracy, the rule of law and the ability to enforce human rights

Roundtable: Funding Strategies

Led by moderator Maria L. Imperial, the panelists discussed funding strategies for legal services for the poor. Each panelist gave an overview of funding mechanisms in their home country (Canada, Lithuania, the United States, Australia)